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A μ-capture ELISA for detecting Mycoplasma pneumoniae IgM: comparison with indirect immunofluorescence and indirect ELISA

SUMMARY A μ-capture ELISA was developed for detecting Mycoplasma pneumoniae specific IgM, and compared with an indirect immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) technique and an indirect ELISA. μ-capture ELISA and IFA compared well and were found to be the most sensitive assays. The IFA test can be completed in 2 h whilst the results of the μ-capture ELISA can be available in 24 h. Both tests are amenable to routine diagnostic use and have similar sensitivity. Indirect ELISA was found to be less sensitive and less specific, giving high assay values with several sera having undetectable M. pneumoniae CF antibody or CF antibody in low titre. Serum samples obtained from 11 patients at various times after M. pneumoniae infection showed maximum antibody levels within the first month by all assays, with a gradual fall in amount of IgM with time when assayed by μ-capture ELISA, a more gradual decline by IFA and hardly any decline with indirect ELISA. It was concluded that the indirect ELISA is unsuitable for the investigation of possible M. pneumoniae infection because the sustained high assay values with serum samples taken many months after infection, make interpretation of the test results very difficult.