DETECTION OF IGM ANTIBODIES AGAINST COXSACKIE-B VIRUSES BY A WESTERN-BLOT TECHNIQUE

We report the application of a modified Western blot (WB) micromethod basically relying on a diffusion-blotting technique (Modi-blot) combin ed with an immunological detection system using monoclonal antibodies and a biotinavidin amplification step for the detection of IgM antibod ies against coxsackieviruses B1 (CBV1), CBV2 and CBV4. Fifty-one adult patients with clinical signs of coxsackievirus B infection (e. g. myo carditis and meningitis) were investigated. The test revealed a total of 31 (60 %) IgM positives. The majority of IgM antibodies were group reactive (22/31). Type-specific antibodies could be recognized in 9 ca ses (3 with CBV 1, 5 with CBV2 and 1 with CBV4). The highest rate of a ntibody prevalence was found in sera from patients with acute meningit is (12/14). Controls [healthy adults (n= 13) and individuals with othe r infections (n= 13)] were all negative for specific IgM against coxsa ckievirus B1, B2 and B4. Further WB tests of 8 IgM positive specimens with coxsackievirus B4 revealed specific IgA responses in all cases, r einforcing the evidence for a recent infection. In addition, the patte rns of IgG antibody subclasses, also investigated in this group, showe d a clear predominance of specific IgG1 and IgG3 antibodies.