Early diagnosis of herpes simplex virus encephalitis in childhood by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

IgG antibody of cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) and serum IgM antibody were determined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 3 patients with herpes simplex virus encephalitis (HSVE). The ELISA detected the early rise of IgG antibody for herpes simplex virus (HSV) in CSF on the 3rd/4th day from onset of symptoms and IgM antibody in serum similarly on the 3rd/4th day, respectively. CSF albumin, IgG index and daily IgG synthesis during the early phase of HSVE showed significantly high levels. However, there was no significant increase of complement-fixing antibody and neutralizing antibody for HSV of serum and CSF in 2 of 3 patients. The ELISA turned out to be a more sensitive and convenient test for the early diagnosis of HSVE.