Introduction: In this work, six SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody assays were evaluated, namely, two pan-immunoglobulin (pan-Ig) assays [Roche Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 (named "Elecsys" in this study) and the PerkinElmer SuperFlex™ Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Ab Assay (SuperFlex_Ab)], two IgM assays [SuperFlex™ Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM Assay (SuperFlex_IgM) and YHLO iFlash-SARS-CoV-2 IgM (iFlash_IgM)], and two IgG assays [SuperFlex™ Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG Assay (SuperFlex_IgG) and iFlash-SARS-CoV-2 IgG (iFlash_IgG)]. Combination assays of SuperFlex™ (SuperFlex_any) and iFlash (iFlash_any) were also evaluated.
Methods: A total of 438 residual serum samples from 54 COVID-19 patients in the COVID-19 group and 100 samples from individuals without evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the negative control group were evaluated.
West Nile virus (WNV) and Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus are distributed separately in the world with some exceptions. There is a concern that WNV may invade into Asia where JE virus exists. On and after such invasion, any differential diagnosis could be complicated by serological crossreactivities.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAntibodies to non-structural protein 1 (NS1) of West Nile virus (WNV) have been used to differentiate WNV infection from infection by serologically cross-reactive flaviviruses, including Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), in horses. However, since the inactivated West Nile (WN) vaccine has been reported to induce NS1 antibodies, there is concern about the reliability of using NS1-based assays for testing vaccinated horses. Therefore, the effect of inactivated WN vaccine-induced antibodies on an epitope-blocking ELISA and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) assay were investigated.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAn ELISA system for measuring antibodies to nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) of Japanese encephalitis virus has already been established. This system uses an ELISA diluent containing casein, instead of bovine serum albumin (BSA). During a survey, we found that 21 (21%) of 102 children aged 1-5 years, who had no history of Japanese encephalitis vaccination and were without detectable neutralizing antibodies, showed positive results with this ELISA system.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) assay was established to measure antibodies to the West Nile virus (WNV) nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) in horses. Sera collected from a WNV-infected horse mediated lysis of WNV NS1-expressing cells in a dose-dependent manner at higher percentages than sera from a Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV)-infected horse. The percentages of specific lysis for sera diluted 1:10 to 1:80 were <19.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJapanese encephalitis (JE) is a serious disease in Asia, but it can be prevented by vaccination. To evaluate the necessity for vaccination in areas with reduced numbers of vector mosquitoes, as well as patients, it is critical to understand the frequency of natural virus exposure. An antibody survey was recently conducted to estimate current natural infection rates in Japan, where the vaccination rate has dropped in recent years.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJapanese encephalitis (JE) is a fatal mosquito-borne disease that is vaccine-preventable. The natural infection rate is a critical factor for evaluations of the necessity for vaccination. Detection of antibodies to virus nonstructural (NS) proteins is a theoretical strategy to survey natural infections among populations vaccinated with an inactivated JE vaccine consisting of only structural proteins.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJapanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is maintained through a transmission cycle between amplifier swine and vector mosquitoes in a peridomestic environment. Thus, studies on natural JEV activities in an environment with a small size of pig population have been limited. Here, we surveyed antibodies against JEV in inhabitants of Jakarta and Surabaya located in Java Island (Indonesia), which has a small swine population.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and related assays are representative of methods currently used for antibody tests. However, they occasionally produce nonspecific reactions, thus making it difficult to reliably measure low levels of specific antibodies. To find a test method that minimizes nonspecific reactions, we introduced the principle of antibody-mediated complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) into an antibody assay.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWest Nile virus (WNV) is now widely distributed worldwide, except in most areas of Asia where Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is distributed. Considering the movement and migration of reservoir birds, there is concern that WNV may be introduced in Asian countries. Although manuals and guidelines for serological tests have been created in Japan in preparedness for the introduction of WNV, differential diagnosis between WNV and JEV may be complicated by antigenic cross-reactivities between these flaviviruses.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF