Evaluation of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of Campylobacter jejuni antibodies, and comparison with a complement fixation test (CFT).
An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for the detection of total anti-Campylobacter immunoglobulins in human sera. In this assay disintegrated Campylobacter bacteria were used as the antigen. Absorption tests including other possibly enteropathogenic bacterial species showed that the ELISA system displayed a high immunological specificity for Campylobacter. Using this ELISA it was found that in about 80% of Campylobacter patients these Campylobacter antibodies are produced to almost maximal levels within 8 days after onset of disease, and that they may persist for at least 4 months. Indeed, Campylobacter antibodies were demonstrated at low levels in a large number of control sera. However, accepting an antibody titre of 1:640 as indicative of Campylobacter infection, the statistical sensitivity of the ELISA system was 77% and the specificity 95%. In an epidemiological survey a high association was demonstrated between the severity of Campylobacter-related symptoms and antibody titre values. Assessment of Campylobacter antibody titres by means of this ELISA and by a complement fixation test in 92 sera from index patients and contacts with and without symptoms showed a high association of results.
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D002167:Campylobacter / Q000276:immunology*; D002169:Campylobacter Infections / Q000276:immunology; D003168:Complement Fixation Tests; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis; D013997:Time Factors
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D007136:Immunoglobulins