A DIRECT ELISA TECHNIQUE TO DETECT ANTIBODIES AGAINST POLIOVIRUSES

A direct ELISA test was developed to detect circulating antibodies spe cific to poliovirus types 1, 2 and 3. Specificity of the test was esta blished by using known polio negative and positive sera. The assay was compared with the standard microneutralization test using sera from p olio and non polio cases vaccinated and unvaccinated subjects and stan dard positive sera obtained from WHO/EPI (Geneva). The reproducibility of the results was tested using different batches of the antigen prep ared from Sabin strain of poliovirus supplied by ERC Bombay and from S abin strain of virus obtained from WHO/EPI. ELISA was found to be as s ensitive as microneutralization test in detecting seronegatives and wa s found to be specific to polio by giving negative results with non po lio cases. ELlSA is thus a rapid and simple method that may be useful for mapping seroepidemiology of poliomyelitis and as a tool for effect ive surveillance of the disease by offering rapid diagnosis in acute c ases.