Cytomegalovirus specific IgM and IgG response in humans studied by radioimmunoassay.

An indirect solid phase micro-radioimmunoassay (RIA) was adapted for the measurement of anti-cytomegalovirus class-specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG). Cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigen (Ag) was added to the wells of microtiter plates and desiccated onto the bottom surface of the wells. Serial dilution of human CMV antisera were added and allowed to react with the Ag. The amount of viral antibody (Ab) was determined by measuring the specific binding of 125I-labeled goat anti-human IgG (125I-AHIgG) and/or IgM (125I-AHIgM). The multiple factors which influence the test were determined. Serial samples of sera from CMV-positive patients showed progressive increases in Ab titers on the basis of specific binding of 125I-AHIgG. The titers of IgM class anti-CMV Ab were also determined with the same sera, and enhancement of the titers was demonstrated when the incubation periods of the first Ag-Ab reaction were extended from 1 to 3 hr. The competition between the different Ig classes of Ab for CMV Ag and the involvement of rheumatoid factor (RF) were investigated. The anti-CMV IgG that may compete with the IgM determination was removed by adsorption of sera with Staphylococcus aureus (Cowan 1). The RF that would cause false anti-CMV IgM results was adsorbed with glutaraldehyde-insolubilized IgG. Our results indicate that this RIA is a practical, specific, and reproducible technique for detection of specific IgG and IgM Ab to CMV.