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Research ArticleFocus: Updates in Immunoassays

Updates in Immunoassays: Bacteriology

Deborah Josko
American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science July 2012, 25 (3) 173-178; DOI: https://doi.org/10.29074/ascls.25.3.173
Deborah Josko
Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Medical Laboratory Science Program, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Scotch Plains, NJ
Ph.D., MLT(ASCP)M, SM
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  • For correspondence: joskotda@umdnj.edu
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  1. Deborah Josko, Ph.D., MLT(ASCP)M, SM⇑
    1. Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Medical Laboratory Science Program, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Scotch Plains, NJ
  1. Address for Correspondence: Deborah Josko, Ph.D. MLT(ASCP)M, SM, Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Medical Laboratory Science Program, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, 1776 Raritan Road, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076. (908) 889-2422. joskotda{at}umdnj.edu
  1. List various immunoassay methodologies available for bacteriological assay use.

  2. Review the principle of latex agglutination assays for bacteriology.

  3. Compare and contrast syphilis screening and confirmatory tests.

  4. Describe the CDC guidelines for syphilis testing.

  5. Discuss FDA-cleared assays for tuberculosis testing.

  6. Explain the principle of lateral flow immunoassays.

Extract

The use of immunological assays in the area of infectious disease has allowed for rapid and accurate identification of various bacteria, especially when identifying fastidious organisms such as Bordetella pertussis, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Legionella pneumophilia.1 Rapid latex agglutination assays, fluorescent antibody assays whether direct (DFA) or indirect (IFA), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), enzyme immunoassays (EIA), lateral flow immunoassays also known as immunochromatographic assays and enzyme-linked fluorescent assays (ELFA) are available for in vitro diagnostic use to identify, screen for, or confirm the presence of infectious agents. The advent of the previously identified above rapid immunoassays has not only shortened turn-around times when compared to routine culture, but enabled the medical laboratory professional to report accurate results to the clinician in a timely manner ensuring administration of the appropriate antimicrobial therapy.

For many years, the serology department in most hospitals and medical centers was housed in the microbiology laboratory. Since several immunoassays are automated and require specific instrumentation to read and interpret results, most serological assays are now performed in the clinical chemistry department. Simple agglutination procedures however such as rapid plasma reagin (RPR) screening for syphilis along with group A strep, Salmonella, Shigella, and E. coli 0157 serogrouping are still performed in the microbiology and serology laboratories. This article will give an overview of some of the common and up-to-date serological methods and assays used in bacteriology whether performed in the microbiology, serology, clinical chemistry or the special chemistry department.

Rapid Latex Agglutination Assays A visible precipitate forms when equal…

ABBREVIATIONS: BCG - bacille Calmette-Guerin; CDC - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; CFP-10 - culture filtrate protein; CLIA - chemiluminescent immunoassays; DFA - direct fluorescent antibody; EIA - enzyme immunoassay; ELFA - enzyme-linked fluorescent assay; ELISA - enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; ESAT-6 - early secreted antigen of 6 kDa; FDA - Food and Drug Administration; FTA-ABS - fluorescent treponemal antibody absorbed test; IFA - indirect fluorescent antibody; IgG - immunoglobulin G; IgM - immunoglobulin M; INF-g - interferon-gamma; NTM - nontuberculous mycobacteria; QFT-G – Quanti-FERON®-TB Gold Test; QFT-GIT - QuantiFERON®-TB Gold In-Tube test; RPR - rapid plasma reagin; SPR - solid phase receptacle; TB - tuberculosis; TP-PA - Treponema pallidum particle agglutination; T-Spot - T-SPOT.TB test; VDRL - Venereal Disease Research Laboratory.

    INDEX TERMS
  • Immunoassay
  • lateral flow immunoassay
  • immunochromatographic assay
  • infectious agent
  • syphilis
  • rapid plasma reagin (RPR)
  • enzyme-linked fluorescent assays
  • fluorescent antibodies
  • latex agglutination assays
  • QuantiFERON tuberculosis testing
  1. List various immunoassay methodologies available for bacteriological assay use.

  2. Review the principle of latex agglutination assays for bacteriology.

  3. Compare and contrast syphilis screening and confirmatory tests.

  4. Describe the CDC guidelines for syphilis testing.

  5. Discuss FDA-cleared assays for tuberculosis testing.

  6. Explain the principle of lateral flow immunoassays.

  • © Copyright 2012 American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science Inc. All rights reserved.
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American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science: 25 (3)
American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science
Vol. 25, Issue 3
Summer 2012
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Updates in Immunoassays: Bacteriology
Deborah Josko
American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science Jul 2012, 25 (3) 173-178; DOI: 10.29074/ascls.25.3.173

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Updates in Immunoassays: Bacteriology
Deborah Josko
American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science Jul 2012, 25 (3) 173-178; DOI: 10.29074/ascls.25.3.173
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  • Updates in Immunoassays: Parasitology
  • Updates in Immunoassays: Introduction
  • Updates in Immunoassays: Virology
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Keywords

  • Immunoassay
  • lateral flow immunoassay
  • immunochromatographic assay
  • infectious agent
  • syphilis
  • rapid plasma reagin (RPR)
  • enzyme-linked fluorescent assays
  • fluorescent antibodies
  • latex agglutination assays
  • QuantiFERON tuberculosis testing

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