Acanthocheilonema Viteae ELISA Kit

Intended Use:
The Bordier Acanthocheilonema viteae ELISA kit is intended for the quantitative detection of IgG antibodies against various filarial nematodes in human serum (Bancroftian and Malayan filariasis, Loaosis, Onchocercosis and Mansonellosis). Serology is an aid for diagnosis and cannot be used as the sole method of diagnosis.

Background:
Filariasis is caused by thread-like round adult worms, which continuously produce microscopically small microfilariaeas off-spring. Most infections worldwide are caused by Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi and Brugia timori. Humans can be infected by person to person mosquitos’ bites. The adult worm lives mainly in the human lymph vessels, and female worms, after mating, produce millions of microfilariae, which circulate in the blood and thus allow to infect mosquitos upon biting. Most infected people do not show clear symptoms. However, in some cases, infected people will develop lymphedema, elephantiasis or swelling. Diagnosis of active infection is based on the identification of microfilariae in the blood by microscopic examination and a positive result by serological testing.

Principle and Presentation:
The kit provides all the material needed to perform 96 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) on breakable microtitration wells sensitized with Acanthocheilonema viteae somatic antigens. Specific antibodies in the sample will bind to these antigens and washing will remove unspecific antibodies. The presence of parasite specific antibodies is detected with a Protein A – alkaline phosphatase conjugate. A second washing step will remove unbound conjugate. Revealing bound antibodies is made by the addition of pNPP substrate which turns yellow in the presence of alkaline phosphatase. Color intensity is proportional to the amount of Acanthocheilonema viteae specific antibodies in the sample. Potassium phosphate is added to stop the reaction. Absorbance at 405 nm is read using an ELISA microplate reader.

The test can be performed with automatic systems, but this must be validated by the user.