An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the identification of Naegleria fowleri in environmental water samples.
Naegleria fowleri, a free-living amoeba, is the causative agent of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, a fatal human disease of the central nervous system often contracted after swimming in fresh water. Identifying sites contaminated by N. fowleri is important in order to prevent the disease. An Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA) has been developed for the specific identification of N. fawleri in primary cultures of environmental water samples. Of 939 samples isolated from artificially heated river water and screened by ELISA, 283 were positive. These results were subsequently confirmed by isoelectric focusing, the established reference method. A sensitivity of 97.4% and a specificity of 97% were obtained. These results indicate that this ELISA method is reliable and can be considered as a powerful tool for the detection of N. fowleri in environmental water samples.
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia 23298-0678 USA.
Fabienne L
FL
Reveiller
Marie-Pierre
MP
Varenne
Claire
C
Pougnard
Pierre-Andre
PA
Cabanes
Emmanuelle
E
Pringuez
Benedicte
B
Pourima
Stephane
S
Legastelois
Pierre
P
Pernin
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000276:immunology; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000469:parasitology*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D008590:Meningoencephalitis / Q000469:parasitology; D016848:Naegleria fowleri / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011210:Power Plants; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014876:Water Pollution
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan