Evaluation of a new enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the diagnosis of rhinovirus infection.
This study describes the evaluation of a newly developed ELISA for the direct detection of rhinovirus antigens in nasal washings. Of 54 volunteers inoculated with 100 TCID50 of human rhinovirus type 2 (HRV-2), 50 (96.6%) and 32 (59%) excreted antigen and virus on at least 1 of 3 days investigated, respectively. Thirty-three (61%) had significant rises in rhinovirus-specific IgA by ELISA. Twelve (22%) developed symptoms of colds. Generally the ELISA detected antigen more frequently in volunteers later in the course of infection and provided evidence of infection in a higher proportion of asymptomatic compared with symptomatic volunteers. On the other hand, virus isolation detected virus more frequently earlier in the course of infection and in a higher proportion of symptomatic compared with asymptomatic volunteers. We conclude that rhinovirus antigen detection by ELISA is a simple, rapid, sensitive, and practical test to diagnose a rhinovirus infection and potentially a viable alternative to virus isolation.
al-Nakib
W
W
MRC Common Cold Unit, Salisbury, England.
Dearden
C J
CJ
Tyrrell
D A
DA
D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D003139:Common Cold / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000276:immunology; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000382:microbiology; D010850:Picornaviridae Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012229:Rhinovirus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D007070:Immunoglobulin A