Interaction of staphylococcal protein A in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for detecting staphylococcal antigens

ELISA procedures for detecting staphylococcal antigens may be subject to interference by reactions between staphylococcal protein A (SPA) and IgG molecules. It was found that rabbit IgG reacted with SPA, both in the native state and after conjugation with peroxidase. Sheep IgG, however, did not react with SPA if conjugated with peroxidase. Peroxidase conjugated SPA reacted with rabbit IgG but not with sheep IgG. These results demonstrate that the source of IgG used in an ELISA system is of major importance to correct quantitation of staphylococcal antigens.