CELISA (complement-enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay) a new method for the estimation of complement fixing antibodies; its use for Chagas' disease.

A description is given of a new method for the estimation of complement fixing antibodies. This is a modification of the Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA) to a Complement-Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (CILISA) using an anti-C3 conjugate. The method is independent of the haemolytic system. To test the sensitivity of CELISA, comparative studies were carried out with the Haemolytic Complement Fixation Test (CFT), indirect haemagglutination test and ELISA with sera from patients with Chagas' Disease. The results with CELISA showed significant correlations with CFT titers whereas no correlations were observed with the other serological tests.