Identification of a herpes B virus-specific glycoprotein D immunodominant epitope recognized by natural and foreign hosts

The mapping of linear epitopes of B virus (Cercopithecine herpesvirus 1 and herpes B virus) glycoprotein D (gD) was accomplished by screening the constructed gD epitope library with serum from B virus-infected macaques. The immunodominant epitope, gD (362-370), was identified within the C-terminal region of B virus gD that was highly conserved among 19 B virus clinical isolates but was not present in either herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 or HSV-2 gD. A substantial percentage of serum samples from macaques (95%) and humans (80%) infected with B virus contained antibodies to this epitope. Antibodies against HSV types 1 or 2 did not react with this epitope; thus, gD (362-370) has unique potential to detect B virus-specific antibody responses in human serum, even in the presence of antibodies to HSV-1 and HSV-2.