Detection of Rabies IgG and IgM Antibodies Using the Rabies Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test

Summary

The aim of this manuscript is to examine the use of the rabies indirect fluorescent antibody test for the detection of rabies-specific IgG and IgM antibodies.

Abstract

The rabies indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test was developed to detect various rabies-specific antibody isotypes in sera or cerebral spinal fluid. This test provides rapid results and can be used to detect rabies antibodies in several different scenarios. The rabies IFA test is especially useful for the quick and early detection of antibodies to evaluate the immune response in a patient who has developed rabies. Although other methods for antemortem rabies diagnosis take precedence, this test may be utilized to demonstrate recent rabies virus exposure through antibody detection. The IFA test does not provide a virus-neutralizing antibody (VNA) titer, but the pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) response can be evaluated through positive or negative antibody presence. This test can be utilized in various situations and can provide results for a number of different targets. In this study, we used several paired serum samples from individuals who received PrEP and demonstrated their rabies antibody presence over time using the IFA test.

Introduction

The rabies indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test is used to detect various rabies-specific antibody isotypes in sera or cerebral spinal fluid. It is one of an arsenal of tests available for monitoring an antemortem rabies patient. It is especially useful for the early detection of antibodies to evaluate a patient's immune response to rabies infection. When used in conjunction with other tests, case history, and the patient's vaccination status, the IFA test can assist in determining exposure to rabies virus or a vaccine¹. As the IFA test measures IgM and/or IgG, the values of the specific antibody can indicate an approximate time frame from ....

Protocol

The following protocol has been approved for the ethical use of human samples by the New York State Department of Health Wadsworth Center for assay development, protocol approval number #03-019.

1. Safety

1. Don personal protective equipment (PPE), at minimum eye protection (glasses or face shield), a surgical mask, and non-latex gloves.
2. Ensure personnel are vaccinated for rabies and that a titer of ≥0.5 IU/mL has been demonstrated within the past 6 mo.......

Discussion

The IFA test takes advantage of an antigen-antibody complex, allowing for a labeling site to visualize rabies-specific antibodies. Neuroblastoma or BHK cells are seeded on multi-well PTFE-coated microscope slides and inoculated with rabies virus lab strain CVS-11. Once the monolayer is confluent and the cells reach the desired infectivity of approximately 50%, the slides are stored until ready for use⁶.

Patient serum or CSF is applied to the infected cell monolayer and .......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
25x55mm glass cover slips	Any
Acetone	Any
Anti-Human IgG Labeled Conjugate	Sigma-Aldrich	F9512
Anti-Human IgM Labeled Conjugate	SeraCare	5230-0286
Aspirating pipette tip	Any
BHK-21 Cells	ATCC	CCL-10
BION IFA Diluent	MBL BION	DIL-9993
Cell Culture water	Sigma-Aldrich	W3500	EGM
Coplin Jars	Any
Fetal Bovine Serum	Sigma-Aldrich	F2442	EGM
Fluorescent microscope with FITC filter	Any
Glycerol	Sigma-Aldrich	G7893	Mountant
Gullsorb IgM inactivation reagent	Fisher Scientific	23-043-158	IgG Inactivation Reagent
L-Glutamine	Sigma-Aldrich	G-7513	EGM
Minimum Essential Media Eagle – w/Earle’s salts, L-glutamine, and non-essential amino acids, w/o sodium bicarbonate	Sigma-Aldrich	M0643	EGM
Mouse Neuroblastoma Cells	ATCC	CCL-131
Multi-well Teflon coating glass slides	Any
PBS	Any		pH 7.6
Penicillin	Sigma	P-3032	EGM
Rabies Direct Fluorescent Antibody Conjugate	Millipore Sigma	5100, 5500 or 6500
Sodium bicarbonate	Sigma-Aldrich	S-5761	EGM
Sodium Chloride crystals	Sigma-Aldrich	S5886	Mountant
Sterile dropper	Any
Streptomycin sulfate salt	Sigma	S9137	EGM
Trizma pre-set crystals pH 9.0	Sigma-Aldrich	S9693	Mountant
Tryptose Phosphate Broth	BD	260300	EGM
Vitamin mix	Sigma-Aldrich	M6895	EGM