Evaluation of IgM antibody capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits for detection of IgM against Japanese encephalitis virus in cerebrospinal fluid samples
Ravi, V.; Robinson, J.S.; Russell, B.J.; Desai, A.; Ramamurty, N.; Featherstone, D.; Johnson, B.W.
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 81(6): 1144-1150
2009
ISSN/ISBN: 1476-1645
PMID: 19996450
DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.2009.09-0144
Accession: 053061424
Infection with Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a major public health problem in Asia. Detection of JEV-specific IgM in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by the IgM antibody capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (MAC-ELISA) is currently the most widely used diagnostic method to detect JEV infection. Because of the possible presence of IgM cross-reactivity with other flaviviruses in serum and the high ratio of inapparent-to-apparent JEV infections, a positive result in serum only suggests a recent infection and not necessarily an encephalitic illness caused by JEV. Consequently, detection of JEV-specific IgM in CSF assumes great diagnostic relevance. We evaluated two commercial JEV MAC-ELISA kits using 60 CSF samples obtained from patients with acute encephalitis syndrome. The Panbio and XCyton kits had sensitivities of 65-80% and 95% and specificities of 90% and 97.5%, respectively. Performance information on these commercial JEV MAC-ELISA kits for CSF should assist in laboratory-based JE surveillance programs.