[Development and evaluation of an ELISA for the detection of IgM antibodies against the hepatitis A virus].

We present the results of the normalization of an IgM capture ELISA method for the diagnosis of type A viral hepatitis with reagents produced in the laboratory and its comparison with the "Diag-A-Hep" commercial ELISA. The results attained were: sensibility by 91%; specificity by 100%; and coincidence of the two systems by 97%. Results are discussed and their relationship with clinical symptoms and epidemiological characteristics is established. The results attained in 13 serum samples taken from patients seen during 2 acute viral hepatitis outbreaks agreed with clinical findings.