Whole cell lysate enzyme immunoassays vs. recombinant glycoprotein G2-based immunoassays for HSV-2 seroprevalence studies

Seroepidemiology studies of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infections have been difficult to carry out because antibodies to HSV type 1 (HSV-1) s how an extensive cross-reactivity with HSV-2 antigens. Many kits available currently a re not entirely type specific for serodiagnosis of HSV-2 infect ions and therefore do not allow reliable discrimination of past exposure to these closely related alphaherpes viruses. Attempts to develop type-specif ic antigens have focused on the envelope glycoproteins, particularly glycop rotein G (gG). A cross-sectional study was carried out to examine the serop revalence of antibodies to HSV-2 among healthy university students, using d ifferent methods: a whole cell lysate enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (EL ISA), two different ELISAs, and a newly developed immunoblot assay, the las t three based on recombinant gG2. HSV-2 prevalence was 24 times higher with the whole cell lysate ELISA (31%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 27-35%) th an the ELISAs and the immunoblot assay based on recombinant gG2 (1.3%; 95% CI: 0.1-2.5%), thus showing the inaccuracy of commercial tests based on who le-antigen preparations for epidemiological studies. Laboratories should be cautious and ensure that commercial tests for HSV typing are based on type -specific glycoproteins. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.