Description
Intended Uses: The ELISA Brucella IgA, IgG and IgM tests are qualitative immunoassays for the demonstration of human IgA, IgG and IgM antibodies directed against pathogenic Brucella ssp. The evaluation of individual immunoglobulin classes can be used for the determination of pathogen contact.
Principle of the Assay: The ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay) is an immunoassay, which is particularly suited to the determination of antibodies in the field of infectious serology. The reaction is based on the specific interaction of antibodies with their corresponding antigen. The test strips of the microtiter plate are coated with specific antigens of the pathogen of interest. If antibodies in the sample are present, they bind to the fixed antigen. A secondary antibody, which has been conjugated with the enzyme alkaline phosphatase, detects and binds to the immune complex. The colourless substrate pnitrophenylphosphate is then converted into the coloured product p-nitrophenol. The signal intensity of this reaction product is proportional to the concentration of the analyte in the sample and is measured photometrically.
Background: Brucella ssp. are gram-negative non-motile bacteria which live as intracellular parasites in a wide spectrum of farm animals. Human infection is primarily caused by Brucella melitensis ("Malta fever"), Brucella abortus ("Morburs Bang") and Brucella suis. The pathogen is transmitted by infected animals (zoonosis), their excrement and contaminated food, particularly unpasteurized dairy products. The disease starts with general symptoms progressing to moderate fever as the acute phase begins, characterized by rising fever in the evenings, hepatomegaly and splenomegaly or swollen lymph nodes. Undulating fever with afebrile intervals are characteristic for Brucella melitensis and Brucella suis infections. Spontaneous healing or transition into a chronic stage with a wide spectrum of symptoms is possible. Multiple organs or organ systems, bones or joints can be affected during the chronic stage. Histologically, characteristic granulomas are observed in infected tissues. Bacterial endocarditis is fatal if it remains untreated. During the late stage of brucellosis, neurologic and even psychiatric manifestations can occur. ELISA test-systems are especially suited for the differential analysis of immunoglobulin classes directed against the virus