TICK-BORNE ENCEPHALITIS VIRUS IGG ELISA

The quantitative immunoenzymatic determination of specific antibodies is based on the ELISA (Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay) technique. Microplates are coated with specific antigens to bind corresponding antibodies of the sample. After washing the wells to remove all unbound sample material a horseradish peroxidase (HRP) labelled conjugate is added. This conjugate binds to the captured antibodies. In a second washing step unbound conjugate is removed. The immune complex formed by the bound conjugate is visualized by adding Tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) substrate which gives a blue reaction product. The intensity of this product is proportional to the amount of specific antibodies in the sample. Sulphuric acid is added to stop the reaction. This produces a yellow endpoint colour. Absorbance at 450/620 nm is read using an ELISA microwell plate reader.

BACKGROUND

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus is a flavivirus of the family Togaviridae. It is an enveloped single-stranded RNA virus with cubic icosahedral symmetry and ranges in size from 20-80nm in diameter. Three subtypes can be distinguished which show only little differences in their structural proteins. TBE virus is mainly transmitted by ticks. The degree of contamination of ticks (and thus humans) in central Europe increases from west to east, and anybody may be affected. Specific antibody development yields a life-long immunity. TBE is the most important tick-transmitted disease of man -beside Lyme disease, which is caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. The clinical course of the disease depends on the immune status of the infected persons. A high virus production in the primary infected tissues is required for the passage of the blood-brain barrier and the resulting severe manifestations in the central nervous system

THIS ELISA ASSAY IS FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY. IT IS NOT FOR USE IN DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES.