Evaluation of a new enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the determination of neopterin.
BACKGROUND
Determination of neopterin especially evaluated for use on the Behring ELISA Processor BEP III highly suited for the demands of blood donation screening in blood banks.


METHODS
A new commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for the detection of neopterin, a low-molecular-mass pteridine. Neopterin is produced by interferon-activated macrophages or monocytes during the activation of the cellular immune system in various diseases. In Austria testing of neopterin to detect cellular immune activation is mandatory since 1995. The former assay version has been used for the measurement of neopterin at the Medical University Graz. As a result of the cooperation with the blood bank in Graz and the Dade Behring company we have developed a new ELISA kit based on a special coating procedure. For comparison we performed measurements with the current IBL Neopterin ELISA version, the HPLC method and with the ELItest Neopterin ELISA (BRAHMS). The new assay is based on a simple assay procedure with two incubations of 1 h and of 30 minutes.


RESULTS
Linear regression analysis showed a significant correlation to the HPLC method. The assay is accurate and precise.


CONCLUSIONS
The above mentioned neopterin assay as an alternative method to other ELISA kits and the HPLC is highly suited for automation and was especially evaluated as a simple, rapid and reproducible version for the Behring ELISA Processor BEP III during this study.
Bayer
Michaela
M
Department of Blood Group Serology and Transfusion Medicine, Medical University Graz, Austria.
Schmitz
Sven
S
Westermann
Jürgen
J
Thiemann
Frank
F
Edelmann
Ralf
R
Szakacs
Claudia
C
Lanzer
Gerhard
G
Blecken
Jens
J
D001782:Blood Donors; D002138:Calibration; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D019798:Neopterin / Q000097:blood*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D019798:Neopterin