Indirect microhemagglutination test for varicella–zoster antibody determination

An indirect microhemagglutination assay (IHA) was devised because of a need to provide an alternative test to complement fixation (CF) for varicella–zoster (V–Z) antibody determination. Human erythrocytes were sequentially treated with 2% glutaraldehyde, 0.04% tannic acid, and 2% pyruvic aldehyde then exposed to sonicated V–Z infected cells. This same tanning procedure was suitable for herpes simplex and Epstein-Barr virus antigen attachment but unsatisfactory for several non-herpes-group viruses. V–Z antibody titres determined by IHA were generally 2 to 16 times higher than CF titres. Cross-reaction with herpes simplex antibody was minimal. </jats:p

Detection of adenovirus antibody by counterimmunoelectrophoresis

Counterimmunoelectrophoresis was adapted as a rapid, sensitive assay for detection of adenovirus group-specific antibody. This assay was six times more sensitive than the complement fixation test and was successfully adapted for use with microliter quantities of serum or whole blood.</jats:p

Counterimmunoelectrophoresis assay for detection of adenovirus antigen

A rapid, sensitive counterimmunoelectrophoresis assay was developed to detect adenovirus in stools of patients with gastroenteritis. The parameters of the assay were optimized, and its sensitivity and efficiency was examined. The assay promises to be a useful alternative to conventional techniques of cell culture isolation or electron microscopy for the detection of adenovirus in stool specimens.</jats:p