Serologic study by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of the IgM antibody response in the patas monkey following experimental simian varicella virus infection.

The time course of IgM and IgG antibody appearance in sera following experimental simian varicella virus infection in the patas monkey was studied. Serum IgM and IgG antibody to Delta herpes virus (DHV) were measured by a double indirect and indirect ELISA test, respectively. IgM antibody was detected 5-8 days postinfection (p.i.) and IgG antibody was present 10-14 days p.i., which was 5-7 days after IgM. Viremia preceded detectable IgM antibody by 2 days. Sucrose gradient separation of serum IgM and IgG was carried out to determine whether IgG competed significantly with IgM. Results of these studies indicated that competition by IgG with IgM antibody did not occur except when IgM had declined to a low level some 40 days p.i. Comparison of the double indirect ELISA test with a double indirect immunofluorescent antibody test for detection of IgM antibody to DHV antigen indicated the ELISA test was more sensitive.