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ELISA for Molluscum Contagiosum Virus
Subuhi Sherwani1, Mohammed Chowdhury1, Joachim J Bugert1,2
1Department of Microbiology, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, United Kingdom.
Current Protocols in Microbiology
|November 10, 2017
Summary
Molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV) seroprevalence can now be accurately assessed using a new standardized ELISA. This method utilizes specific MCV polypeptides, improving global disease surveillance for this common childhood skin infection.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV) is a widespread skin pathogen causing benign tumors, primarily in children and young adults.
- MCV infections are typically self-limiting but can persist for up to a year, unlike other orthopoxviruses.
- Existing methods for determining MCV seroprevalence vary and lack standardization, hindering accurate global assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a standardized enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for assessing MCV seroprevalence.
- To establish a reliable method for global MCV seroprevalence studies.
Main Methods:
- Expression of MCV polypeptides from open reading frames MC084, mc133, and GST-H3L as glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion proteins in E. coli.
- Development of a GST capture ELISA to detect MCV-specific antibodies in patient sera.
- Screening of patient sera using the newly developed ELISA and comparison with previous results.
Main Results:
- Successfully expressed functional GST fusion proteins from MCV open reading frames.
- Demonstrated the utility of the developed GST capture ELISA for detecting MCV antibodies.
- Showed that the new ELISA can effectively screen patient sera previously characterized by other methods.
Conclusions:
- A standardized GST capture ELISA using specific MCV polypeptides provides a reliable method for assessing MCV seroprevalence.
- This standardized assay is crucial for accurate global surveillance of MCV infections.
- The developed method offers an improvement over historical serological techniques for MCV antibody detection.
