Indirect Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for the Detection of Coxsackievirus Group B Antibodies

An indirect, solid phase, microplate enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was found to be highly sensitive and reliable for detecting antibodies to the group B Coxsackieviruses and other picornaviruses. Conditions for obtaining maximum sensitivity and reproducibility of the indirect ELISA are described. Antibody titres were comparable to those obtained by the virus neutralization test and over 50 times higher than those obtained by the complement-fixation test. Purified virions used in the indirect ELISA reacted with low levels of cross-reacting heterotypic antibodies elicited by each of the six group B Coxsackieviruses, although homotypic reactions resulted in highest titres.