title: Detection of measles-specific IgM antibodies: comparison of 2-mercaptoethanol treatment, density gradient centrifugation, protein A-sepharose affinity chromatography, ion-exchange chromatography and haemadsorption techniques.
abstract: The sensitivity, specificity and effectivity of 5 methods for detection of measles-specific IgM antibodies were compared. A total of 371 sera from non-immunized as well as immunized measles patients was included into the study. The highest positive rate was achieved by the haemadsorption-immunosorbent (HIST) test. The density gradient (DG) centrifugation and the ion-exchange chromatography (IERCR) were 10-15% less effective. Protein A-Sepharose affinity chromatography (ACR) and 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) treatment showed positive results in the half of samples which had been positive in the HIST. The titres were in significant correlation (r = 0.90 to r = 0.8793 at P = 0.01). Specificity and reproducibility of the tests were good. Rheumatoid factor did not influence the results. In general, HIST was found as most sensitive and effective.
mesh_terms: D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D002499:Centrifugation, Density Gradient; D002846:Chromatography, Affinity; D002852:Chromatography, Ion Exchange; D006382:Hemadsorption; D006385:Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis*; D007163:Immunosorbent Techniques; D008457:Measles / Q000276:immunology*; D008459:Measles virus / Q000276:immunology; D008623:Mercaptoethanol; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D008623:Mercaptoethanol; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor