A RAPID AND SENSITIVE ENZYME-LINKED IMMUNOFILTER ASSAY (ELIFA) FOR WHOLE BACTERIAL-CELLS

An improved method is described for the detection of Escherichia coli by an enzyme linked immunofilter assay (ELIFA) using introcellulose me mbrane sandwiched between two 96-well plates. The incorporation of a p umping system permits a continuous flow of reagents and/or wash fluids through the membrane and provides an assay procedure capable of detec ting 10(3) bacteria per well within 40 min. Quantitative bacterial det ection was based on precipitated chromogen determined by scanning dens itometry. The procedure represents a significant improvement in assay time and/or sensitivity over previously described ELIFA and ELISA meth ods for whole bacterial cells.