[Capture and detection of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) IgM by a recombinant multi-epitope chimeric antigen]

To establish a sensitive and specific antibody-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (AC-ELISA) method to detect serum IgM against human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) by expressing a recombinant HCMV multi-epitope cheimeric antigen through genetic engineering. The dominant epitopes of HCMV were analyzed and selected by computer software A recombinant multi-epitope chimeric antigen expression vector including HCMV DNA was constructed, and transformed into E. coli BL21(DE3). The antigen was abundantly expressed, purified, and labeled by horseradish peroxidase for subsequent development of the AC-ELISA. Thirty validated positive sera and sixty-three validated negative sera were submitted for IgM detection by this recombinant antigen. The sensitivity and specificity of AC-ELISA with our recombinant antigen were both 100%. The sensitivity and specificity of this AC-ELISA diagnostic kit with the recombinant antigen are comparable to similar foreign commercial products.