Improving the varicella-zoster virus: IgG radioimmunoassay procedure by the use of purified antigen.

The indirect radioimmunoassay (RIA) for detecting and assaying IgG class antibodies against varicella-zoster virus (VZV) can be improved by simple purification of the viral antigen. This is achieved by reducing binding to cellular components present in crude antigens. The purified antigen is particularly useful for testing sera that either bind excessively to normal control antigen or give equivocal results when crude antigens are used.