A monoclonal blocking EIA for herpes simplex virus type 2 antibody: validation for seroepidemiological studies in Africa

A competitive type-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for h erpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) antibody was developed using an infected cell antigen and a monoclonal antibody to glycoprotein G-2. This assay has been validated for use for epidemiological studies using a large panel of sera collected in rural Uganda and a panel of 143 sera characterised previo usly by Western blotting, the 'gold standard' for HSV type-specific serolog y. This evaluation was found to have a sensitivity of 96% and a specificity of 91% in comparison with Western blot on 143 sera from clinic patients. T he ELISA had a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 91% in comparison wi th Western blot on 495 sera collected in Uganda. The assay showed good repr oducibility and a low percentage of sera gave equivocal results, indicating its suitability for epidemiological studies. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevie r Science B.V. All rights reserved.