We are pleased to advise availability of our new semi-purified gG2 protein of HSV-2 (code AW 6055) and recombinant gG1 protein of HSV-1 (code AW 6060). These new glycoprotein antigens will facilitate the manufacture of serological tests capable of distinguishing between HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections by reacting with antibodies that are respectively type specific for HSV-1 and HSV-2. We expect that these glycoprotein antigens will be suitable for use in a range of methodologies including ELISA, immunoblotting and rapid membrane bound type tests for point of care application. These glycoprotein antigens are already in successful commercial usage in ELISA applications.

Two types of HSV are serologically distinguishable, namely, HSV-1 and HSV-2. They differ in their biological and epidemiological effects. Although both viruses infect epithelial cells, HSV-1 is normally associated with oral infections and HSV-2 is associated with genital infections. However, a recognizable but variable proportion of genital infection is attributable to HSV-1. In this context the distinction in virus type is important as genital HSV-1 infections are not as clinically severe and are less prone to recur.

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