N. Rahmah et al., A recombinant antigen-based IgG4 ELISA for the specific and sensitive detection of Brugia malayi infection, T RS TROP M, 95(3), 2001, pp. 280-284
Citations number
20
Categorie Soggetti
Envirnomentale Medicine & Public Health","Medical Research General Topics
Journal title
TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
An IgG4 ELISA based on a novel recombinant antigen was evaluated for detect
ion of Brugia malayi infection, using 2487 sera from various institutions:
2031 samples from Universiti Sains Malaysia, 276 blinded sera from 2 other
institutions in Malaysia, 140 blinded sera from India and 40 blinded sera f
rom Thailand. These sera were from various groups of individuals, i.e., mic
rofilaraemics, chronic patients, endemic normals, non-endemic normals and i
ndividuals with other parasitic and bacterial infections. Based on a cut-of
f optical density reading of 0.300, the IgG4 ELISA demonstrated specificity
rates of 95.6=100%, sensitivity rates of 96-100%, positive predictive valu
es of 75-100% and negative predictive values of 98.9-100%. These evaluation
studies demonstrated the high specificity and sensitivity of this test for
the detection of active B. malayi infection. Thus, the IgG4 ELISA would be
very useful as a tool in diagnosis and in elimination programmes for brugi
an filariasis.