Confirmation of specificity of reactivity in a solid phase ELISA for the detection of hepatitis E viral antigen improves utility of the assay

M J Ankcorn; S Ijaz; B Haywood; J Neuberger; A M Elsharkawy; J Maggs; R S Tedder

doi:10.1016/j.jviromet.2017.11.007

Confirmation of specificity of reactivity in a solid phase ELISA for the detection of hepatitis E viral antigen improves utility of the assay

J Virol Methods. 2018 Feb:252:42-48. doi: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2017.11.007. Epub 2017 Nov 20.

Authors

M J Ankcorn¹, S Ijaz², B Haywood³, J Neuberger⁴, A M Elsharkawy⁵, J Maggs⁶, R S Tedder⁷

Affiliations

¹ Blood Borne Virus Unit, Virus Reference Department, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK; Transfusion Microbiology, National Health Service Blood and Transplant, London, UK. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Blood Borne Virus Unit, Virus Reference Department, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK. Electronic address: [email protected].
³ Blood Borne Virus Unit, Virus Reference Department, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁴ The Liver Unit, University Hospitals Birmingham, Birmingham, UK. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁵ The Liver Unit, University Hospitals Birmingham, Birmingham, UK. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁶ Gastrointestinal and Liver Services, Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, Buckinghamshire, UK. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁷ Blood Borne Virus Unit, Virus Reference Department, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK; Transfusion Microbiology, National Health Service Blood and Transplant, London, UK; University College London, Gower Street, London, UK. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 29158182
DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2017.11.007

Abstract

Genotype 3 hepatitis E virus (HEV) can lead to persistent infections in immunocompromised hosts. A recently available commercial assay for the detection of HEV antigen (HEV-Ag ELISA, Wantai diagnostics) may enable the study of HEV-Ag dynamics in such persistent infections, however currently there is no confirmatory test available. We generated a putative neutralising reagent from a pool of four convalescent blood donor samples and explored neutralising activity against HEV antigens from clinical samples, HEV tissue-culture and virus-like particles. Using this neutralisation method we were able to differentiate true reactivity from non-specific reactivity in plasma, stool and urine samples. This could also facilitate the introduction of HEV-Ag detection as a screening assay or the study of HEV-Ag in different body fluids.

Keywords: Antigens; Chronic infection; Hepatitis E virus; Neutralisation.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay*
Feces / virology
Hepatitis Antibodies / blood
Hepatitis B e Antigens / isolation & purification*
Hepatitis E / diagnosis*
Hepatitis E / immunology
Hepatitis E virus
Humans
Immunoglobulin G / blood
Immunoglobulin M / blood
Neutralization Tests
RNA, Viral / genetics
Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

Hepatitis Antibodies
Hepatitis B e Antigens
Immunoglobulin G
Immunoglobulin M
RNA, Viral
Reagent Kits, Diagnostic