title: A dot enzyme immunoassay for detection of IgM antibodies against phenolic glycolipid-I in sera from leprosy patients.
abstract: A visual dipstick dot enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for diagnosis of leprosy is described. The assay is based on detection of IgM antibodies against phenolic glycolipid (PGL-I) in sera from leprosy patients. The antigen (PGL-I or synthetic disaccharide of PGL-I) was dotted on a nitrocellulose pad stuck on a plastic strip (dipstick). Sera were used at a dilution of 1:200. Peroxidase coupled mouse anti-human IgM monoclonal antibodies were used as the conjugate. A positive test gave a blue dot against a white background. The test was highly specific for leprosy, and was quite sensitive for detection of bacilliferous (BL/LL) leprosy. The antigen dotted and preblocked dipsticks stored at room temperature upto 4 months of observation period, were unable in the assay.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D003116:Color; D006017:Glycolipids / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000276:immunology*; D007918:Leprosy / Q000175:diagnosis*; D051379:Mice
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D006017:Glycolipids; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; C045169:phenolic glycolipid I, Mycobacterium leprae