An applied research on a new recombinant M. leprae antigen: the establishment of a2-ELISA method

Title:
An applied research on a new recombinant M. leprae antigen: the establishment of a2-ELISA method

Author:
Yin Y, Wu Q, He W

Address:
National Center for STD and Leprosy Control, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 12 Jiangwangmiao Road, Nanjing 210042, P. R. China

Source:
China journal of leprosy and skin diseases, 1999（15）2:12-15

Abstract:
Objective: To develop an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using a new recombinant M. leprae antigen, i.e. a2 antigen (a2-ELISA) for detecting the relevant antibodies in leprosy cases; Methods: In sera from 96 leprosy patients and 50 normal persons, the most optimal conditions for the method was approached and determined and the titers of three sub-Ig antibodies were examined; Results: 1) the most optimal conditions for a2-ELISA would be NH4AC:CO3 as coating buffer; 5mg/ml of M. leprae a2 antigen as appropriately coating concentration and OPD as a more sensitive peroxidase substrate than TMB; 2) the titers of antibodies to a2 antigen in leprosy patients are IgG>IgM>IgA ; Conclusion: The serological activities of a2-ELISA were comparable with that of PGL-1-ELISA and can become one of the immunologic methods in the seroepidemiological investigation and may be assistant in identifying the high risk group of leprosy infection.

Key words: M. leprae recombinant a2 antigen a2-ELISA

Language: Chinese