ABSTRACT
Serologic testing for measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) IgG is traditionally performed by immunofluorescence assay or enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Although sensitive and specific, these methods are labor intensive, time consuming, and require separate assays for each analyte. This study evaluated the performance of the MMRV IgG AtheNA Multi-Lyte assay using nonclinically characterized serum specimens submitted to our laboratory for routine MMRV IgG testing. Mumps (n = 492) or rubella (n = 500) IgG were initially tested by enzyme-linked fluorescent antibody (ELFA), whereas measles (n = 494) or varicella (n = 497) were analyzed by EIA. Each sample was also tested by the AtheNA Multi-Lyte assay. Discordant results were retested by the predicate method and the multiplex assay, with further discrepancies being arbitrated by a third test. Compared to EIA/ELFA for MMRV IgG, the AtheNA assay demonstrated an overall agreement of 97.4%, 98.2%, 97.6%, and 100%, respectively. Use of this multiplex assay allows for the simultaneous detection of MMRV IgG, potentially decreasing cost, sample volume requirements, aliquot errors, and hands-on testing time.
Subject(s)
Antibodies/blood , Herpes Zoster/diagnosis , Immunoglobulin G/blood , Measles/diagnosis , Mumps/diagnosis , Rubella/diagnosis , Virology/methods , Herpesvirus 3, Human/immunology , Humans , Immunoassay/methods , Measles virus/immunology , Microspheres , Mumps virus/immunology , Reagent Kits, Diagnostic , Rubella virus/immunologyABSTRACT
We compared the performance of the Meridian CALAS, Wampole Crypto-LA, Murex Cryptococcus latex agglutination assay, and the Meridian Premier EIA for the detection of cryptococcal antigen in serum and CSF. The assays demonstrated similar performance characteristics based on concordance values > or = 93% but important differences were noted in endpoint titers.
