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.