Antibody to varicella-zoster virus-induced membrane antigen: immunoperoxidase assay with air-dried target cells.

A technique using indirect immunoperoxidase antibody to membrane antigen (IPAMA) was developed for detection of IgG antibody to varicella-zoster virus (VZV). The IPAMA technique utilizes glass slides with air-dried VZV-infected cells, which can be stored at -70 C and used for several months without loss of sensitivity. Antibody titers measured by the IPAMA technique were comparable to those measured by the technique using indirect fluorescent antibody to membrane antigen (IFAMA) for sera obtained from 63 medical students as well as sera from three patients with chicken pox and nine with herpes-zoster infection, and the sensitivity of the IPAMA was equal to that of the IFAMA technique. No cross-reactivity with antibodies to other herpesviruses was observed.