Antibody to varicella-zoster virus-induced membrane antigen: immunofluorescence assay using monodisperse glutaraldehyde-fixed target cells.

A sensitive and reproducible technique was developed for the detection of antibody to varicella-zoster virus-induced membrane antigen (VZMA) by immunofluorescence. Controlled trypsinization and glutaraldehyde fixation were employed to prepare a monodisperse suspension of noninfectious VZMA-positive target cells that can be stored indefinitely at -72 degrees C. A microtiter immunofluorescence assay utilizing these target cells was shown to provide a sensitive and specific means for the detection and quantitation of antibody to varicella-zoster virus. The properties of the target cell preparation and the characteristics of the assay make practical the rapid assessment of immunity to the varicella-zoster virus.