[Development of a SPA-ELISA method for detecting anti-coronavirus IgG antibodies in serum samples from fulvous fruit bats].
OBJECTIVE
To develop an simple and sensitive method for detecting anti-coronavirus IgG antibodies in bat sera based on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).


METHODS
A commercial ELISA kit for detecting SARS-CoV antibody was modified for detecting coronavirus antibodies in bat serum samples. The second antibody in the kit was replaced with horseradish peroxidase-conjugated protein-A (HRP-SPA) based on the characteristics of binding between Staphylococcus aureus protein A (SPA) and mammal IgG Fc fragment. The sera of 55 fulvous fruit bats (Rousettus dasymallus) were tested using the SPA-ELISA.


RESULTS
The test results of the positive and negative controls in the kit and the serum samples from convalescent ;patient were consistent with expectation. Coronavirus antibody was detected in 2 out of the 55 bat serum samples. Serum neutralization test confirmed the validity of the SPA-ELISA method.


CONCLUSIONS
This SPA-ELISA method is applicable for detecting coronavirus antibody in bat sera.
Zhou
Jie
J
Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China. paburaw@hotmail.com
Liao
Yu-xue
YX
Chen
Zhong
Z
Li
Yu-chun
YC
Gao
Lu-Lu
LL
Chen
Yi-xiong
YX
Cai
Lian-gong
LG
Chen
Qing
Q
Yu
Shou-yi
SY
D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D002685:Chiroptera / Q000821:virology*; D017934:Coronavirus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G