Cellulose acetate as solid phase in ELISA for plague

Antigen from Yersinia pestis was adsorbed on cellulose acetate discs (0.5 c m of diameter) which were obtained from dialysis membrane by using a paper punch. ELISA for human plague diagnosis was carried out employing this matr ix and was capable to detect amount of 1.3 mu g of antigen, 3,200 times dil uted positive serum using human anti-IgG conjugate diluted 1:4, 000, No rel evant antigen lixiviation from the cellulose acetate was observed even afte r washing the discs 15 times. The discs were impregnated by the coloured pr oducts from the ELISA development allowing its use in dot-ELISA. Furthermor e, cellulose acetate showed a better performance than the conventional PVC plates.