Placental transfer of IgG subclass-specific antibodies to varicella-zoster virus.

Commercially available mouse monoclonal antibodies to human IgG subclasses (IgG 1 to IgG 4) were used in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to examine the placental transfer of IgG subclass-specific antibodies to varicella-zoster virus (VZV). All 46 mothers had total IgG antibody to VZV, and an equal level of antibody was found in the cord blood. All of the mothers had high antibody activities to VZV in IgG 1 and IgG 4 subclasses.

Immunoglobulin subclass antibodies to varicella-zoster virus.

Commercially available mouse monoclonal antibodies to human IgG subclass (IgG1 to IgG4) were applied to an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure IgG subclass-specific antibodies to varicella-zoster virus in children naturally infected with varicella-zoster virus and in varicella vaccine recipients. In children naturally infected with varicella-zoster virus, IgG 1 antibody was detected 2 weeks after onset of the disease in all cases, its activity increased at 1 month after onset, and almost equal antibody value was maintained 10 years after infection. This pattern of antibody response was similar to that of total IgG antibody to varicella-zoster virus after natural infection.

Viral replication and immunologic responses in children naturally infected with varicella-zoster virus and in varicella vaccine recipients.

Replication of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and immunologic responses to VZV were examined by a sensitive culture technique for viral isolation and standard immunologic assays in children after close exposure to wild-type VZV or after inoculation with strain Oka varicella vaccine. Naturally infected children who developed clinical varicella had viremia between five days before and one day after clinical onset of disease, with the highest isolation rate one and two days before onset, and seroconversion followed two days later. Virus was not isolated from blood 12 and 13 days after contact in subclinically infected children.