Comparison of an indirect fluorescent-antibody test with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for serological studies of Lyme disease

Abstract

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was compared with an indirect fluorescent antibody test for its ability to detect antibodies to the Lyme disease spirochete in sera of naturally infected humans, dogs, and whitefooted mice and experimentally infected Swiss mice. Ninety-five percent of the total 123 sera analyzed reacted similarly in both tests. For 36 human sera, the correlation coefficient (r = 0.47) for logarithmic transformations of indirect fluorescent antibody and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay titers was significant at P < 0.01. Within each mammalian species, mean titers for indirect fluorescent antibody and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay antibodies were within threefold. Comparisons of different naturally infected mammals revealed relatively higher average titration endpoints in both tests for patients with Lyme disease. Human sera also had the widest range of titers. Both methods proved satisfactory for serological confirmation of prior spirochetal infections.

Serological Survey for Lyme Disease in Sika Deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis) by Enzyme‐Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)

“…In particular, the ELISA has a number of advantages for serodiagnosis, including sensitivity and ease of automation (5,6,9). The reactions of positive and negative samples were similar in both IFA and ELISA for the survey of the antibody in various mammalian species (9). We also comfirmed that the titers of IFA were correlated with those of ELISA for serum samples from humans (correlation coefficient r>0.88, statistical significant P<0.01, 5).…”

“…In general, it is important for the prevention of the disease to know the facts of transmission of B. burgdorferi by the ticks to wild animals and to clarify the reservoirs of Lyme borreliosis. For the survey of Lyme disease, the indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test and ELISA have been developed to detect antibodies to B. burgdorferi (9,16). In particular, the ELISA has a number of advantages for serodiagnosis, including sensitivity and ease of automation (5,6,9).…”

“…For the survey of Lyme disease, the indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test and ELISA have been developed to detect antibodies to B. burgdorferi (9,16). In particular, the ELISA has a number of advantages for serodiagnosis, including sensitivity and ease of automation (5,6,9). The reactions of positive and negative samples were similar in both IFA and ELISA for the survey of the antibody in various mammalian species (9).…”

Persistent intrathecal secretion of oligoclonal, Borrelia burgdorferi-specific IgG in chronic meningoradiculomyelitis

“…All protein and IgG concentrations were determined by lasernephelometry (Behring Laser Nephelometer, B ehring-Werke, Marburg, FRG) and expressed in milligrams per decilitre (rag/ dl). Antibodies to B. burgdorferi were tested by IFT and ELISA as described previously [13]. The IgG coefficient was calculated according to the method of Delpech and Lichtblau [5].…”

Negative Incidence of Lyme Disease‐Related Borrelia Spp. in Alishan, Taiwan

“…Four strains, B. afzelii strain PGau from cerebrospinal fluid from a Lyme disease patient in Germany, B. garinii strain HPI isolated from I. persulcatus in Hokkaido, Japan, B. valaisiana strain KRI from a wild rodent, Rattus losea captured in Kinmen island and B. valaisiana strain TMI isolated from a wild rodent, Mus formosanus captured in Taichung (11), were used as antigens for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Preparation of antigen and ELISA were performed according to the method described by Magnarelli et al (9). Affinity-purified horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-Iabeled goat anti-mouse IgG-IgM-IgA serum (Kirkegaard & Perry Laboratory, Md., U.S.A) diluted to 1:I,000 was used as a second antibody.…”