Detection of IgM antibodies against coxsackie B viruses by a western blot technique.
We report the application of a modified Western blot (WB) micromethod basically relying on a diffusion-blotting technique (Modi-blot) combined with an immunological detection system using monoclonal antibodies and a biotinavidin amplification step for the detection of IgM antibodies against coxsackieviruses B1 (CBV1), CBV2 and CBV4. Fifty-one adult patients with clinical signs of coxsackievirus B infection (e.g. myocarditis and meningitis) were investigated. The test revealed a total of 31 (60%) IgM positives. The majority of IgM antibodies were group reactive (22/31). Type-specific antibodies could be recognized in 9 cases (3 with CBV1, 5 with CBV2 and 1 with CBV4). The highest rate of antibody prevalence was found in sera from patients with acute meningitis (12/14). Controls [healthy adults (n = 13) and individuals with other infections (n = 13)] were all negative for specific IgM against coxsackievirus B1, B2 and B4. Further WB tests of 8 IgM positive specimens with coxsackievirus B4 revealed specific IgA responses in all cases, reinforcing the evidence for a recent infection. In addition, the patterns of IgG antibody subclasses, also investigated in this group, showed a clear predominance of specific IgG1 and IgG3 antibodies.
del Rosario Zuñiga
M
M
Klinikum, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt, Germany.
Reichardt
J
J
Braun
W
W
Weber
B
B
Doerr
H W
HW
D000208:Acute Disease; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D015153:Blotting, Western / Q000379:methods*; D003384:Coxsackievirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D029822:Enterovirus B, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood*; D008587:Meningitis, Viral / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D009205:Myocarditis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D015995:Prevalence; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013045:Species Specificity; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000276:immunology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D014764:Viral Proteins