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Serologic detection of active infections with human herpes viruses (CMV, EBV, HSV, VZV): Diagnostic potential of IgA class and IgG subclass-specific antibodies

Die Serologische Diagnostik von aktiven Infektionen mit den humanen Herpesviren CMV, EBV, HSV, VZV: Bewertung der IgA- und IgG-Subklassen-spezifischen Antikörperbestimmung

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Summary

In 175 sera from healthy persons as well as those suffering from primary or secondary herpes virus infections/reactivations, serum antibodies were assessed by an indirect ELISA in the immunoglobulin classes A, G and M and the subclasses G1-4, using carrier-fixed antigens (CMV, VZV, HSV) and monoclonal tracer antibodies. In a similar way EBV-specific antibodies were tested by an indirect IFT. Only IgG1 antibodies were detectable in nearly all persons. Virusspecific IgA and IgG3 may support conventional serological methods (IgM, IgG) indicating recent infection/reactivation with VZV, EBV and possibly CMV. Furthermore, differentiation of primary and secondary CMV and VZV infection was possible in some cases, when IgG3 was detectable before IgG1 in subsequent blood specimens. Recurrent herpes lesions could not be diagnosed serologically.

Zusammenfassung

In 175 Seren von gesunden und an primären oder sekundären Herpesvirusinfektionen erkrankten Personen wurden mit einem indirekten ELISA unter Verwendung von trägergebundenem Antigen (CMV, VZV, HSV) und monoklonalen Zweitantikörpern Subklassen-spezifische Immunglobuline in den Klassen A, G und M sowie in den IgG-Subklassen 1 bis 4 bestimmt. Auf ähnliche Weise wurden mit einem indirekten IFT EBV-spezifische Viruskapsid-Antikörper untersucht. Nur IgG1 Antikörper waren bei nahezu allen untersuchten Personen nachzuweisen. Die Bestimmung des virusspezifischen IgA und IgG1/IgG3 kann die konventionelle Serodiagnostik (IgM, IgG) von frischen Infektionen oder Reaktivierungen mit VZV, EBV und möglicherweise CMV ergänzen. Weiterhin wird die Differenzierung zwischen Primär- und Sekundärinfektionen mit CMV und VZV in einigen Fällen dadurch möglich, daß in aufeinanderfolgenden Serumproben IgG3 früher als IgG1 nachzuweisen ist. Rekurrente Herpesinfektionen können nicht serologisch diagnostiziert werden.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Virology, Centre of Hygiene, University Clinics of Frankfurt, D-6000, Frankfurt

    H. W. Doerr, M. Rentschler (cand. med.) & G. Scheifler (cand. med.)

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  1. H. W. Doerr
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  2. M. Rentschler
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  3. G. Scheifler
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Doerr, H.W., Rentschler, M. & Scheifler, G. Serologic detection of active infections with human herpes viruses (CMV, EBV, HSV, VZV): Diagnostic potential of IgA class and IgG subclass-specific antibodies. Infection 15, 93–98 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01650204

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