Abstract

ALKMIN, Maria das Graças Adelino; LANDGRAF, Ilka Maria  and  SHIMIZU, Sumie Hoshino. Detection of N. meningitidis group B antigens by MB-Dot-ELISA in patients with meningitis. Rev Panam Salud Publica [online]. 1997, vol.1, n.3, pp. 208-212. ISSN 1020-4989.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1020-49891997000300007.

Infection with Neisseria meningitidis group B has been difficult to detect, partly because this bacterial group's polysaccharide is a weak immunogen. This article describes work carried out to test a new procedure (MB-Dot-ELISA) employing a high-titered horse antiserum for detection of N. meningitidis group B antigens. The study assayed cerebrospinal fluid samples from 585 subjects, 574 with suspected meningitis cases and 11 with neurologic disorders. The results of the assay indicated a sensitivity of 0.991 and a specificity of 0.826. These results were superior to those obtained with latex agglutination and in substantial agreement with the results of counterimmunoelectrophoresis and bacteriologic methods. Overall, the MB-Dot-ELISA was found to be sensitive, inexpensive, and suitable for public health laboratory investigations.