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Enterovirus-specific IgM in the diagnosis of meningitis
Abstract:
Samples of serum from 557 patients with a clinical diagnosis of meningitis or encephalitis and referred to the Epsom Public Health Laboratory during a period of 3 years were tested for enterovirus-specific IgM in a mu capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Enterovirus-specific IgM was detected in 45% samples from all age groups. In the 3-5-year age group, 67% specimens were positive. A notable male predominance (73%) was seen in the age group 0-15 years. As predicted, a seasonal increase in incidence was found in the summer and autumn months. Data from a questionnaire sent to the referring laboratories showed only a 5% enterovirus isolation rate from cerebrospinal fluids when isolation of a virus was attempted. The enterovirus IgM ELISA is a sensitive economical and rapid method for use in the diagnosis of viral meningitis.
Insights
A new enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) detected enterovirus-specific IgM in 45% of meningitis and encephalitis patient samples. This sensitive IgM ELISA is a valuable diagnostic tool for viral meningitis.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Microbiology
- Immunology
- Virology
Background:
- Meningitis and encephalitis are serious neurological conditions often caused by viral infections.
- Enteroviruses are a common cause of viral meningitis, particularly in children.
- Accurate and timely diagnosis is crucial for patient management and epidemiological surveillance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of a mu capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detecting enterovirus-specific IgM antibodies in patient serum.
- To determine the prevalence of enterovirus IgM in patients with suspected meningitis or encephalitis.
- To assess the diagnostic performance of the IgM ELISA compared to traditional virus isolation methods.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples from 557 patients with clinically diagnosed meningitis or encephalitis were analyzed.
- A mu capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to detect enterovirus-specific IgM antibodies.
- Data on patient demographics, seasonality, and virus isolation rates from cerebrospinal fluid were collected via questionnaire.
Main Results:
- Enterovirus-specific IgM was detected in 45% of all tested samples.
- The positivity rate was higher in the 3-5-year age group (67%).
- A male predominance (73%) was observed in patients aged 0-15 years, with a seasonal increase in summer and autumn.
Conclusions:
- The enterovirus IgM ELISA is a sensitive, economical, and rapid method for diagnosing viral meningitis.
- The IgM ELISA offers a valuable alternative to virus isolation, which showed a low detection rate (5%) from cerebrospinal fluid.
- The findings highlight the importance of enteroviruses in meningitis/encephalitis and support the use of IgM detection in clinical diagnostics.