Preissner CM, Steinberg SP, Gershon AA, Smith TF. Evaluation of the anticomplement immunofluorescence test for detection of antibody to varicella-zoster virus.
J Clin Microbiol 1982;
16:373-6. [PMID:
6288766 PMCID:
PMC272363 DOI:
10.1128/jcm.16.2.373-376.1982]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The anticomplement immunofluorescence (ACIF) test was compared with complement fixation and fluorescent antibody to membrane antigen procedures for the detection of antibody to varicella-zoster virus. All of 50 sera from pregnant women contained antibody measured by ACIF (titer, greater than or equal to 1:10); only 27 (54%) were positive by complement fixation (P less than 0.01). For 16 paired sera obtained before and after varicella-zoster virus infection and tested by ACIF and fluorescent antibody to membrane antigen, the result agreed in 27 determinations (sensitivity, 94%; specificity, 81%). Of 99 sera submitted for routine determinations of immune status to the virus, 89 showed comparable results for both tests (sensitivity, 92.5%; specificity, 88%). The ACIF test offers a specific and sensitive alternative to the fluorescent antibody to membrane antigen procedure for the detection of antibody to varicella-zoster virus. In addition, the ACIF test is rapid, easy to perform, and uses commercially available reagents.
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