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An enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay for detection of botulinum toxin‐antibodies
Author(s) -
Dressler Dirk,
Gessler Frank,
Tacik Pawel,
Bigalke Hans
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
movement disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.352
H-Index - 198
eISSN - 1531-8257
pISSN - 0885-3185
DOI - 10.1002/mds.25956
Subject(s) - antibody , toxin , neurotoxin , sensitivity (control systems) , enzyme , receiver operating characteristic , microbiology and biotechnology , medicine , chemistry , chromatography , immunology , biology , biochemistry , electronic engineering , engineering
Antibodies against botulinum neurotoxin (BNT‐AB) can be detected by the mouse protection assay (MPA), the hemidiaphragm assay (HDA), and by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Both MPA and HDA require sacrifice of experimental animals, and they are technically delicate and labor intensive. We introduce a specially developed ELISA for detection of BNT‐A‐AB and evaluate it against the HDA. Methods Thirty serum samples were tested by HDA and by the new ELISA. Results were compared, and receiver operating characteristic analyses were used to optimize ELISA parameter constellation to obtain either maximal overall accuracy, maximal test sensitivity, or maximal test specificity. When the ELISA is optimized for sensitivity, a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 55% can be reached. When it is optimized for specificity, a specificity of 100% and a sensitivity of 90% can be obtained. Results We present an ELISA for BNT‐AB detection that can be—for the first time—customized for special purposes. Adjusted for optimal sensitivity, it reaches the best sensitivity of all BNT‐AB tests available. Conclusions Using the new ELISA together with the HDA as a confirmation test allows testing for BNT‐AB in large numbers of patients receiving BT drugs in an economical, fast, and more animal‐friendly way. © 2014 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society