A direct ELISA technique to detect antibodies against polioviruses.

A direct ELISA test was developed to detect circulating antibodies specific to poliovirus types 1, 2 and 3. Specificity of the test was established by using known polio negative and positive sera. The assay was compared with the standard microneutralization test using sera from polio and non polio cases vaccinated and unvaccinated subjects and standard positive sera obtained from WHO/EPI (Geneva). The reproducibility of the results was tested using different batches of the antigen prepared from Sabin strain of poliovirus supplied by ERC Bombay and from Sabin strain of virus obtained from WHO/EPI. ELISA was found to be as sensitive as microneutralization test in detecting seronegatives and was found to be specific to polio by giving negative results with non polio cases. ELISA is thus a rapid and simple method that may be useful for mapping seroepidemiology of poliomyelitis and as a tool for effective surveillance of the disease by offering rapid diagnosis in acute cases.