Serotyping herpes simplex virus isolated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a double-antibody sandwich tecnhique has been developed to serotype isolates of herpes simplex virus from clinical sources. The results obtained using this procedure were in agreement with those obtained with a standard neutralization test in typing stock cultures and 32 clinical isolates of herpes simplex virus. Clear differentiation between the two viral serotypes was obtained using rabbit immunoglobulin cross-absorbed with heterologous virus antigen. The ELISA procedure described appears to be a convenient and accurate substitute for the neutralization test in typing herpes simplex viruses. ELISA techniques require relatively small amounts of antigen and antibody and can be performed with very simple equipment.