Identification and typing of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 by monoclonal antibodies, sensitivity to the drug (E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine, and restriction endonuclease analysis of viral DNA

With development of antiviral drugs, the need to identify a virus as to drug sensitivity becomes increasingly of importance. The compound (E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine (BVDU) has been shown to be much more inhibitory to the replication of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and varicella-zoster virus as opposed to herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). We have typed over 170 isolates, using an immunofluorescent technique and sensitivity to the drug BVDU. These results were then compared to the typing of isolates by analysis of viral DNA after restriction endonuclease digestion (EcoRI). Without exception the results were in agreement between the monoclonal antibody results and sensitivity to the drug BVDU. Furthermore, the typing with monoclonal antibodies was also in excellent agreement with the DNA analysis. Only those isolates inhibited with BVDU showed DNA characteristics of HSV-1 and reacted only with the S-200 antibody. On the other hand, those isolates which reacted with the monoclonal antibody S-141 were insensitive to BVDU, and again this was in agreement with the DNA analysis. These results could provide the basis for developing a diagnostic test using the two monoclonal antibodies to type either isolates or direct smears and to use the results as a basis for possible drug therapy.