Studies on the specificity of the complement fixation test in cytomegalovirus infections. With special reference to possible cross-reactions with other herpesvirus antigens.

AbstractComplement fixation tests with cytomegalovirus, herpesvirus hominis and varicella-zoster virus antigens and immunofluorescence test with Epstein-Barr virus antigens have been performed on two or more sera from 36 patients infected with one or more of these viruses. In 23 patients only a homologous rise in antibodies was registered, whereas 6 patients had rising titres against 2 or more viruses. In 4 instances the well-known cross reaction between herpesvirus hominis and varicella-zoster virus was seen. The findings in 3 patients of a simultaneous rise in antibodies against cytomegalovirus and one or two of the other antigens employed could be explained on the basis of a double infection with cytomegalovirus and herpesvirus hominis. The present findings support the view that the complement fixation test for cytomegalovirus antibodies possesses a high degree of specificity and can therefore be used diagnostically.