Persistence of serum IgA antibodies to herpes simplex, varicella-zoster, cytomegalovirus, and rubella virus detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays

• Published in: Journal of medical virology Vol. 16; no. 4; p. 343
• Main Authors: Morris, G E, Coleman, R M, Best, J M, Benetato, B B, Nahmias, A J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-08-1985
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antibodies, Viral - analysis; Antibody Specificity; Cytomegalovirus - immunology; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Genital Diseases, Female - immunology; Herpesvirus 3, Human - immunology; Humans; Immunoglobulin A - analysis; Immunoglobulin G - analysis; Middle Aged; Rubella virus - immunology; Simplexvirus - immunology; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0146-6615
• DOI: 10.1002/jmv.1890160407

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to detect IgG and IgA antibodies to herpes simplex virus (HSV), varicella-zoster virus (VZV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and rubella virus in sera from 68 adult female gynaecological patients. Of the patients who had virus-specific IgG antibodies, the proportion who also had virus-specific IgA was 98% for HSV, 75% for VZV, 73% for rubella virus, and 42% for CMV. IgA antibodies to all four viruses were only found when specific IgG antibodies were also detected in the serum. These results suggest that virus-specific IgA may persist for several years; possible explanations for this are discussed.