An enzyme immunoassay for detection of Japanese encephalitis virus-inducedchemotactic cytokine

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) induces human peripheral blood monocytes to secrete a chemotactic cytokine [human macrophage-derived factor (hMDF)] which causes chemotaxis of neutrophils. The only known assay for hMDF canno t quantify its level in samples, so an enzyme immunoassay has been standard ized for detection of hMDF and hMDF-specific antibodies in test samples. Th e reported enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was found to be sensit ive (89%), specific (91%), accurate (92.2%) and reproducible and was able t o detect a minimum concentration of 23 ng hMDF/ml in test samples. The chem otactic factor could be detected in JEV inoculated mouse sera and JEV infec ted culture fluids. Significant finding of the test was the detection of hM DF in sera of human cases of JE.