Rapid identification and typing of herpes simplex virus by a new enzyme immunoassay with peroxidase-labeled complement C1q.

A new enzyme-linked immunoassay system (TC-ELISA) was developed for the rapid, specific detection and typing of herpes simplex virus (HSV) using anti-HSV immune sera and enzyme-labeled complement component C1q (P*-C1q). The method is based on viral antigen produced in HSV-infected cells being detected by simultaneous addition of immune serum and P*-C1q (ELISA-CF). With this assay, it was found that HSV was detected with anti-HSV immune serum and P*-C1q and that HSV type 1 and HSV type 2 could be differentiated with anti-HSV-1 and anti-HSV-2 immune sera and P*-C1q. The TC-ELISA test was HSV specific and not reactive with measles virus, cytomegalovirus, mumps virus or varicella-zoster virus. The whole assay procedure can be completed within 3 hours, as long as HSV-inoculated cell cultures with more than 10% cytopathic effect are used. These results suggest that TC-ELISA is useful in the diagnosis of viral infections.