DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF ENZYME-IMMUNOASSAY TEST SYSTEMS FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF EBOLA FEVER

Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) test systems for the detection of antigens of and antibodies to Ebola virus were developed and tried. The test syst em for the detection of Ebola virus antigens based on direct solid-pha se EIA detects viral antigens in culture fluid of infected Vero cells, in the blood sera, and in homogenates of infected tissues. Use of thi s test system allows detection of at least 10 ng of viral proteins or 5.0 . 10(3) to 1.0 . 10(4) PFU/ml in infectious material. The test sys tem is prepared on the basis df protein A - horseradish peroxidase con jugate. It is universal for the testing of animal and human sera and i s characterized by high resolution and reproducibility of results. It allows detection of antibodies to Ebola virus starting from days 8-9 o f infection. A higher sensitivity of direct solid-phase EIA in compari son with complement fixation or indirect immunofluorescence tests is d emonstrated.