Comparison of a lateral-flow immunochromatography assay with real-time reverse transcription-PCR for detection of human metapneumovirus.

A lateral-flow immunochromatography (IC) assay for the detection of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) has been developed by using two mouse monoclonal antibodies to the nucleocapsid protein of hMPV. The purpose of this study was to compare the virus detection rate in nasopharyngeal secretions by the IC assay with that by real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR). We collected nasopharyngeal swab samples from 247 children with respiratory symptoms in Sapporo, Japan, during the period from April to July 2007. Sixty-eight of the 247 children were positive for hMPV by real-time RT-PCR. When the real-time RT-PCR was used as the reference standard, the IC assay results were positive for 48 of the 68 real-time RT-PCR-positive children (70.6% sensitivity) and 8 of the 179 real-time RT-PCR-negative children (95.5% specificity). Although the sensitivity of the IC assay is lower than that of real-time RT-PCR, the IC assay is a rapid and useful test for the diagnosis of hMPV infections in children.

Interlaboratory evaluation of two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits for the detection of egg, milk, wheat, buckwheat, and peanut in foods.

The labeling of 5 major allergenic ingredients (egg, milk, wheat, buckwheat, and peanut) is mandatory in Japan, and 2 series of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits have been established as official screening methods. However, these official methods have not provided the necessary sensitivity, due in part to poor extraction efficiency. To address this need, 2 novel ELISA kits have been developed: the FASTKIT ELISA Ver. II Series and the FASPEK Allergenic Substances Detection Kit. The new kit systems use an improved extraction buffer that can extract insoluble proteins produced by processing and feature new antibodies that bind to the denatured proteins extracted with the new extraction buffer. The analytical performances of the 2 new ELISA kit series were evaluated in an interlaboratory study. Ten laboratories participated in the study and determined the major allergenic ingredients contained in 5 types of model processed food. The 2 ELISAs displayed fairly good reproducibility and sufficient recovery.

[Study of preparation of the calibration standard for the crustacean protein detection method].

We examined the preparation method of the calibration standard for an ELISA kit for measuring crustacean protein in food products. The initial extract of the calibration standard was stabilized by addition of protease inhibitor to the extracting solution and heating at 100 degrees C for 10 min. In accordance with the preparation procedure for calibrators, we prepared 3 lots of initial extract of calibration standard and analyzed the protein concentration and SDS-electrophoretic pattern. Single bands at 160, 41, 37 kDa and 4 bands in the range of 16-20 kDa were observed on SDS-PAGE. The range of protein concentration of the initial extract of the calibration standard was 2.74-4.10 mg/mL.

Development of a rapid chromatographic immunoassay for detection of human metapneumovirus using monoclonal antibodies against nucleoprotein of hMPV.

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) nucleocapsid (N) protein is a major structural protein that encapsidates the RNA genome and is essential for replication and transcription of the hMPV genome. We developed two mouse monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), designated 3D1 and 5B10, against N protein of hMPV and characterized them by an immunofluorescence assay and an immunoprecipitation assay using Trichoplusia ni (Tn5) insect cells infected with a recombinant baculovirus-expressing hMPV N protein. Both MAbs were found to be reactive to two groups of hMPV by an immunofluorescence assay using two groups of hMPV-infected cells. A chromatographic immunoassay (lateral flow assay) was developed using the MAbs. The assay is a sandwich immunoassay that uses a paper membrane with a gold colloid-conjugated MAb (5B10) in a liquid phase and an MAb (3D1) in a solid phase. We preliminarily examined the sensitivity and specificity using hMPV-infected cells, Tn5 insect cells infected with a recombinant baculovirus-expressing hMPV N protein, hMPV, and purified N protein. The assay had good specificity and sufficient sensitivity to detect hMPV. Therefore, the assay may be a rapid and useful test for diagnosis of hMPV infections.