Rapid diagnosis of viral infections by an alkaline phosphatase immunocytochemical method.

The use of alkaline phosphatase immunocytochemical staining was explored for the rapid diagnosis of poliovirus, adenovirus, herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus infections in cell cultures. In this test, viral antigens treated with their relative antibody were incubated with alkaline phosphatase-labelled antisera. The enzyme label was developed with a naphthol salt in the presence of a diazonium salt (Fast Blue) in order to obtain a blue coloured precipitate at the site of the enzyme. It is suggested that this immunocytochemical technique is valuable in the detection of viral infections and would be an appropriate test to use when rapid diagnosis is required.