According to recent research from the United States, 'We report the development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detecting antibodies to Balamuthia mandrillaris, a free-living ameba that is an etiologic agent of granulomatous amebic encephalitis (GAE). As part of the California Encephalitis Project (CEP), we have tested serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from a subgroup of 130 hospitalized encephalitis patients (out of similar to 430 samples) over a 16-month period.'
'Case criteria were based on clinical, laboratory, and occupational/recreational histories. All serum samples initially underwent screening by immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) staining with results ranging from no detectable ameba antibodies to titers of 1:256. In addition to the 130 samples tested prospectively, sera and/or CSF from 11 previously confirmed cases of balamuthiasis, six healthy individuals, and earlier CEP submissions with high IFA antibody titers were also tested retrospectively. Among the 130 samples, two cases of balamuthiasis were identified by ELISA and confirmed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The availability of sera from human and animal cases and from varied geographic areas allowed comparisons of serologic similarities of the different Balamuthia strains and human sera. All sera, whether from human or other mammals, reacted with all strains of Balamuthia, as they did with Balamuthia amebae from different geographic areas. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results were consistent with the IFA results,' wrote F.L. Schuster and colleagues (see also Encephalitis).
The researchers concluded: 'Differences between readings were likely due to cross-reactivity between Balamuthia antigens and unidentified antibodies in serum.'
Schuster and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology (Balamuthia mandrillaris, agent of amebic encephalitis: Detection of serum antibodies and antigenic similarity of isolates by enzyme immunoassay. Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology, 2008;55(4):313-320).
For additional information, contact F.L. Schuster, California Dept. of Public Health, Viral & Rickettsial Diseases Laboratory, 850 Marina Bay Pkwy, Richmond, CA 94804, USA.
Publisher contact information for the Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology is: Blackwell Publishing, 9600 Garsington Rd., Oxford OX4 2DQ, Oxon, England.
Keywords: United States, Richmond, Central Nervous System Disease, Dermatology, Encephalitis, Granuloma, Immunoassay.
This article was prepared by Biotech Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2008, Biotech Week via NewsRx.com.
