Typing of herpes simplex virus isolates with selected monoclonal antibodies.

On the basis of their reactivity with a large panel of clinical isolates of herpes simplex viruses, three monoclonal antibodies were selected as serotyping reagents. By indirect immunofluorescence, the type 1 specific (6D4) and the group specific (1B5) reacted with a cytoplasmic antigen while the type 2 specific (G3) reacted with a nuclear antigen. These three monoclonal antibodies have not failed so far in identifying and typing 257 culture isolates. For rapid serotyping by immunofluorescence, all antibodies gave unambiguous results on 95 additional isolates tested as soon as cytopathic effect appeared after inoculation on primary monkey kidney cells.