The memory lymphocyte immunostimulation assay in immune system disorders: Is useful or useless?
Maria Vadalà1,2, Carmen Laurino1,2, Beniamino Palmieri2
1Department of General Surgery and Surgical Specialties, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Medical School, Surgical Clinic, Modena, Italy.
Insights
The Memory Lymphocyte ImmunoStimulation Assay (MELISA®) is not a reliable test for detecting metal hypersensitivity in girls with autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome after HPV vaccination. The study found the test lacked sensitivity and specificity for these conditions.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Toxicology
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA) can occur post-vaccination.
- Metal hypersensitivity is a potential contributing factor in ASIA.
- The Memory Lymphocyte ImmunoStimulation Assay (MELISA®) is an in vitro blood test designed to detect immune responses to specific substances.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the clinical relevance, sensitivity, and specificity of the MELISA® test.
- To evaluate MELISA®'s utility in identifying metal hypersensitivity in genetically predisposed patients with ASIA post-HPV vaccination.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive study included sixteen girls (aged 12-24 years) with somatoform symptoms post-HPV vaccination.
- Hypersensitivity to aluminum, nickel, mercury, methyl mercury, and thimerosal was measured using the MELISA® test.
Main Results:
- Seven out of sixteen girls tested negative for all five metals.
- Metal hypersensitivity was identified in nine patients: aluminum (2), nickel (7), and mercury (7).
Conclusions:
- The MELISA® assay demonstrated low sensitivity and specificity for detecting metal hypersensitivity.
- The study concluded that MELISA® is not clinically relevant for diagnosing metal hypersensitivity in patients with autoimmune pathologies like ASIA.
Aim:
The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical relevance, sensitivity and specificity of in vitro blood test, Memory Lymphocyte ImmunoStimulation Assay (MELISA®), in genetically predisposed patients that suffer by autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants, after HPV-vaccination and that could have a high metal hypersensitivity.
Materials And Methods:
Sixteen girls (aged 12-24 years) that developed long-lasting and invalidating somatoform symptoms occurring within 20 days postvaccination are included in this descriptive study. The hypersensitivity to five metals (aluminum, nickel, mercury, methyl mercury, and thimerosal) was measured by MELISA® test.
Results:
Seven girls showed negativity to all the five metals tested. The findings showed metal hypersensitivity only in nine patients: Toxicity to aluminum (two girls), reactivity to nickel (seven girls), followed by mercury (seven girls).
Conclusion:
The MELISA® assay is neither sensitive nor specific in detecting metal hypersensitivity and associated chronic diseases, including autoimmune pathologies.
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