A recombinant antigen-based IgG4 ELISA for the specific and sensitive detection of Brugia malayi infection.

Abstract

An IgG4 ELISA based on a novel recombinant antigen was evaluated for detection of Brugia malayi infection, using 2487 sera from various institutions: 2031 samples from Universiti Sains Malaysia, 276 blinded sera from 2 other institutions in Malaysia, 140 blinded sera from India and 40 blinded sera from Thailand. These sera were from various groups of individuals, i.e., microfilaraemics, chronic patients, endemic normals, non-endemic normals and individuals with other parasitic and bacterial infections. Based on a cut-off optical density reading of 0.300, the IgG4 ELISA demonstrated specificity rates of 95.6-100%, sensitivity rates of 96-100%, positive predictive values of 75-100% and negative predictive values of 98.9-100%. These evaluation studies demonstrated the high specificity and sensitivity of this test for the detection of active B. malayi infection. Thus, the IgG4 ELISA would be very useful as a tool in diagnosis and in elimination programmes for brugian filariasis.

• Authors: N Rahmah, B H Lim, A Khairul Anuar, R K Shenoy, V Kumaraswami, S Lokman Hakim, P Chotechuang, K Kanjanopas, C P Ramachandran
• Journal: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg) 2001 May-Jun Vol. 95 Issue 3 Pg. 280-4 ISSN: 0035-9203 [Print] England
• PMID: 11490997 (Publication Type: Evaluation Study, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antigens, Helminth
• Immunoglobulin G
• Recombinant Proteins

Topics

• Animals
• Antigens, Helminth (blood)
• Blotting, Western
• Brugia malayi (immunology)
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (methods, standards)
• Filariasis (diagnosis, immunology)
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Immunoglobulin G (blood)
• Recombinant Proteins
• Sensitivity and Specificity