Open AccessDevelopment 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
Author(s) -
Laher Gouri,
Balmer Paul,
Gray Steve J.,
Dawson Maureen,
Kaczmarski Edward B.,
Borrow Raymond
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
fems immunology & medical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1574-695X
pISSN - 0928-8244
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2006.00121.x
Subject(s) - antibody , neisseria meningitidis , meningococcal disease , immunoassay , multiplex , immunoglobulin g , immunoglobulin m , serotype , virology , microbiology and biotechnology , nephelometry , neisseriaceae , biology , immunology , bacteria , antibiotics , bioinformatics , genetics
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.