[Use of a conjugate of staphylococcal protein A with peroxidase in an immunoenzyme test system for determining antibodies to the herpes simplex virus].

An enzyme-immunoassay system for the detection of specific antibody to herpes simplex virus was developed in which the antigen layered on the solid phase consisted of a crude extract of infected cells, and the detecting agent was a conjugate of protein A with horseradish peroxidase. This assay system was used for serological examination of 22 serum specimens from patients suffering from either meningoencephalitis or recurrent herpes of the skin and mucous membranes of the genitalia, as well as 6 specimens of the cerebrospinal fluid from patients with meningoencephalitis. The enzymeimmunoassay was found to be more sensitive than CFT. The advantages of using protein A/peroxidase conjugate for rapid estimation of the total amount of specific antibodies at any stage of herpes infection are discussed.