title: Yersinia enterocolitica serodiagnosis: a dual role of specific IgA. Evaluation of microagglutination and ELISA.
abstract: The microagglutination technique for the detection of antibodies against Y. enterocolitica, serovars 3 and 9 (corresponding to O-groups I and V), was compared with the conventional tube agglutination. An immunoglobulin class specific, indirect ELISA (polyvalent immunoglobulin, IgG, IgM, and IgA) was established employing as antigens formalinized whole bacteria ("OH"-antigens) and LPS preparations (hot phenol-water extraction). ELISA titers and net absorbancy (ELISA-"units") of single serum dilutions were in good agreement; the same was true for ELISA and agglutination results. Specificity (against healthy controls) and sensitivity of both serologic techniques were comparable. Cross-reacting antibodies against serovars 3 and 9 could be identified in the ELISA. Correct serovar-specific diagnosis was possible in 95% with a single assay (polyvalent Ig assay with LPS-antigen). The sensitivity of the LPS-ELISA was superior to the "OH" antigen assay after infections by serovar 3 strains, and antibodies were detected with LPS preparations for a longer period following reconvalescence. Specific IgA, due to its rapid decrease during reconvalescence, on one hand impresses as a valuable marker for the differentiation of recent disease from uncomplicated past infections, while persistence of IgA appears to be associated with Yersinia-induced arthritis. Persisting IgM but rarely IgA titers were characteristically found in patients with prolonged enteric yersiniosis.
authors.affiliation: Kinderklinik, Universität Hamburg, Federal Republic of Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bitzan
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Häck
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mauff
mesh_terms: D000372:Agglutination Tests; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D007700:Kinetics; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015009:Yersinia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015008:Yersinia enterocolitica / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M