Using a solid-phase variant of enzyme immunoassay for the etiological diagnosis of endogenous uveitis

Abstract

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has traditionally been used to diagnose infectious diseases, including ophthalmic ones. As a rule, however, investigators are only focused on differentiated detection of specific immunoglobulins (Ig) of varied classes, despite the fact that ELISA is able to register a wider range of emerging immune responses.Our purpose is to assess the effectiveness of the solid-phase version of ELISA for the etiological diagnosis of endogenous uveitis.Material and methods. 107 patients (114 eyes) aged 19 to 83 (ave. 45.2 ± 2.8 yrs) with various clinical forms of endogenous uveitis were examined by the traditional ELISA method. Along with the detection of specific Ig, the avidity of IgG and “paired” sera were studied.Results. In the primary serological examination, specific IgG were found in almost all patients (to herpes simplex viruses in 100 %, and to cytomegaloviruses in 96,3 %). Specific IgM were revealed in 3.7 % of cases. Specific IgG to T. gondii were found in 44.9 % of the patients and in 2 people, IgM. Specific IgG to C. trachomatis were found in 23 patients, and in two cases, IgM. By studying the avidity of antibodies, etiology was additionally deciphered in 1.9 % of patients. The study of “paired” sera helped determine the etiology of the disease in another 16 people.Conclusion. An integral approach using all diagnostic capabilities of ELISA, in particular the differentiated definition of specific Ig of various classes and the avidity of specific IgG, as well as the study of “paired” sera, made it possible to significantly increase the diagnostic capabilities of ELISA. As a result, the etiology was deciphered in 26 patients (24,3 %).