Detection of human cytomegalovirus-specific IgG antibodies by a sensitive solid-phase radioimmunoassay and by a rapid-screening test

A radioimmunoassay (RIA) for the detection of human IgG antibodies to cytomegalovirus (CMV) which utilizes extracts of CMV-infected cells as antigen is described. Sera of 66 healthy adults were titered by the RIA and by the complement fixation (CF) test. These same subjects were also used in the evaluation of a rapid screening radioimmunoassay (RSRIA) developed to detect IgG antibodies to CMV in small serum samples. The specificity of the RIA was evaluated by testing sera of seven CMV patients and ten patients with heterotypic titer rises to herpes simplex virus or varicella zoster virus (HSV or VZV). The RIA proved to be sensitive and specific. Possible applications of the RSRIA modification are discussed.