A simple, highly sensitive and specific serological test for the detection of antibodies to Varicella-zoster virus (Varicellovirus humanalpha3).

Introduction: Varicella-Zoster virus (VZV) is a highly contagious alpha-herpes virus. The diagnosis of chickenpox remains a difficult task especially in cases of breakthrough chickenpox, so the development of reliable laboratory tests is necessary. The simplest and most sensitive serological test for detecting antibodies in human and animal sera is the passive hemagglutination reaction (PHAR).

The aim: To develop of a simple, highly sensitive and specific serological tests for the detection of antibodies to VZV in human and animal blood sera.

Materials and methods: Human and animal cell cultures; various strains of VZV; human and animal immune sera; monoclonal antibody to VZV glycoprotein (GP) E. Formalin-treated erythrocytes of sheep, chickens and goats, sensibilised with GP of VZV from a virus-containing supernatant were used for PHAR.

Results: Cell cultures with the maximum cytopathic effect at VZV infection were selected. A simple original method for obtaining virus-specific VZV GPs using lectins has been developed. Purified GPs were obtained by their elution from sheep erythrocytes after adsorption. The activity of VZV GP was confirmed in PHAR by an antibody diagnostic assay using formalin-treated sheep erythrocytes sensibilised using monoclonal antibodies to GP E of the "vOka" VZV strain (USA). Using GPs from different VZV strains, PHAR test and GP-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (gpELISA) have been developed to detect antibodies in human and animal immune sera. These tests have high sensitivity, specificity and lack of cross-reactivity.

Conclusion: A highly specific, sensitive and reproducible tests for the detection of antibodies to VZV have been developed.