ELISA and indirect immunofluorescence in the diagnosis of LCM virus infections
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1Public Health Institute of the Republic of Croatia, Zagreb.
Abstract:
Thirty-seven matched samples of patient sera with the clinical diagnosis of a lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM) infection, as well as 56 matched samples of patient sera with the clinical diagnosis of a CNS infection of vague etiology were examined. Two serological techniques, indirect immunofluorescence (IF) and ELISA were used. They revealed 16.2% of positive sera confirming the clinical diagnosis of the disease; in the cases of clinical diagnosis of CNS infection of vague etiology 8.9% of positive sera were found, which points to an LCM virus-caused infection.
Insights
This study investigated lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infections using serological tests. LCMV was confirmed in 16.2% of patients with suspected LCM and 8.9% of those with CNS infections of unknown cause.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is an underdiagnosed cause of central nervous system (CNS) infections.
- Accurate etiological diagnosis is crucial for patient management and understanding disease epidemiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of serological methods in diagnosing LCMV infections.
- To determine the prevalence of LCMV as a cause of CNS infections of unknown etiology.
Main Methods:
- Sera from 37 patients with clinically diagnosed LCM infection and 56 with CNS infections of vague etiology were analyzed.
- Two serological techniques, indirect immunofluorescence (IF) and ELISA, were employed for antibody detection.
Main Results:
- Indirect immunofluorescence and ELISA confirmed LCMV infection in 16.2% of patients with suspected LCM.
- LCMV antibodies were detected in 8.9% of patients initially diagnosed with CNS infections of vague etiology.
Conclusions:
- Serological testing is effective in confirming LCMV infections.
- LCMV should be considered in the differential diagnosis of CNS infections, even when the etiology is initially unclear.