title: Development and evaluation of a rapid multianalyte particle-based flow cytometric assay for the quantification of meningococcal serogroup B-specific IgM antibodies in sera for nonculture case confirmation.
abstract: Serogroup-specific antibody has been shown to be present in the sera of patients recovering from meningococcal disease, and thus the detection of such antibodies may aid in the confirmation of disease. There are currently no standard methods for measuring meningococcal serogroup B-specific antibody in sera. Here, we report the development of a microsphere-based immunoassay which utilizes colominic acid from Escherichia coli 07:K1 (L):NM to detect immunoglobulin M directed against serogroup B polysaccharide. The serogroup B assay was incorporated into a multiplex assay which also detects serogroup-specific immunoglobulin M for meningococcal serogroups A, C, Y and W-135. Using the method of cross-standardization, serogroup B-specific immunoglobulin M concentrations were assigned to the standard serum CDC 1992. The assay is able to detect increases in specific immunoglobulin M concentrations from acute to convalescent phase serum from serogroup B cases, and can be utilized in conjunction with the previously developed tetraplex immunoglobulin G detection assay for serogroups A, C, Y and W-135.
authors.affiliation: Vaccine Evaluation Unit, Health Protection Agency, Manchester Medical Microbiology Partnership, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, UK. gouri.lal@hpa.org.uk
authors.forename: Gouri
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Laher
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Balmer
authors.forename: Steve J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.forename: Maureen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dawson
authors.forename: Edward B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Kaczmarski
authors.forename: Raymond
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Borrow
mesh_terms: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood*; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008863:Microspheres; D038541:Neisseria meningitidis, Serogroup B / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012703:Serotyping
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial