Determination of herpes simplex virus type-specific antibodies by solid-phase RIA on Helix pomatia lectin-purified antigens.

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) antibodies in humans and animals were determined by a micro-solid-phase radioimmunoassay with Helix pomatia lectin/Sepharose 4B-purified antigens from HSV-1- and HSV-2-infected cells. A low but constant heterotypic reactivity was found with HSV-1 antigen, whereas HSV-2 antigen was type specific, as evidenced by (1) its reactivity with sera from HSV-2- but not with those from HSV-1-immunized animals, (2) its reactivity with monoclonal antibody to glycoprotein C but not with that to other HSV-2 glycoproteins, and (3) the negative results obtained in serum samples from 57 children, of whom 49 possessed HSV-1 neutralizing antibody. Antibody to HSV-2 (anti-HSV-2) was detected in serum samples from 14 of 16 subjects treated for genital herpetic lesions. The prevalence of anti-HSV-2 in women did not differ in the 25-35- and 36-45-year-old age groups but did correlate with the number of sex partners, with only 10% of women reporting one sex partner and 33% of those reporting more than 10 sex partners having anti-HSV-2.