Detection of N. meningitidis group B antigens by MB-Dot-ELISA in patients with meningitis.
Infection with Neisseria meningitidis group B has been difficult to detect, partly because this bacterial group's polysaccharide is a weak immunogen. This article describes work carried out to test a new procedure (MB-Dot-ELISA) employing a high-titered horse antiserum for detection of N. meningitidis group B antigens. The study assayed cerebrospinal fluid samples from 585 subjects, 574 with suspected meningitis cases and 11 with neurologic disorders. The results of the assay indicated a sensitivity of 0.991 and a specificity of 0.826. These results were superior to those obtained with latex agglutination and in substantial agreement with the results of counterimmunoelectrophoresis and bacteriologic methods. Overall, the MB-Dot-ELISA was found to be sensitive, inexpensive, and suitable for public health laboratory investigations.
Immunology Section, Adolfo Lutz Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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Alkmin M das
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Landgraf
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Shimizu
D000818:Animals; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D006736:Horses; D006801:Humans; D007106:Immune Sera; D008585:Meningitis, Meningococcal / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis / Q000276:immunology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D007106:Immune Sera