Description
Intended Use: The EBV-VCA IgM ELISA tests system is an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of IgM class antibodies to EBV-VCA in human serum or plasma.
Summary and Explaination: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a herpes virus known to cause infectious mononucleosis (IM). EBV infection may demonstrate a wide spectrum of clinical symptoms. The majorities of primary EBV infections are transmitted via saliva, occur during childhood, and are sub-clinical. In the U.S., 50% of the population demonstrate EBV antibodies before the age of 5 years; 80% by adulthood. Transfusion-associated EBV infections have also been reported. Epstein-Barr virus has also been associated in the pathogenisis of two human cancers, Burkitt's lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Burkitt's lymphoma is primarily observed in Sub-Sahara Africa, especially in African children, and in New Guinea. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is observed in Asia, most notably in Southern China.
Principle of the test: Diluted patient serum (serum diluent contains sorbent to remove rheumatoid factor and human IgG interference) is added to wells coated with purified antigen. IgM specific antibody, if present, binds to the antigen. All unbound materials are washed away and the enzyme conjugate is added to bind to the antibody-antigen complex, if present. Excess enzyme conjugate is washed off and substrate is added. The plate is incubated to allow the hydrolysis of the substrate by the enzyme. The intensity of the color generated is proportional to the amount of IgM specific antibody in the sample