The detection of varicella zoster antibodies by simultaneous competitive EIA and its comparison with radioimmunoassay, latex agglutination and antiglobulin type EIA.

A rapid and simultaneous competitive enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for the detection of human antibodies to varicella zoster virus (VZV) which utilises complement fixing (CF) VZV antigen and peroxidase labelled human antibodies to VZV as reagents is described. The competitive EIA was compared with competitive radioimmunoassay (RIA) in a selection of sera from 501 blood donors and 115 patients. The competitive EIA was comparable in sensitivity and specificity to the RIA, but had the advantage of not requiring radiolabelling or facilities for radioactive handling and disposal, and also had an enhanced stability. The competitive EIA was compared with competitive RIA, a commercially available latex agglutination assay and an antiglobulin type EIA on sera from 100 patients. The competitive EIA and RIA appeared to be the most sensitive tests.