Use of monoclonal antibody blends in the identification of enteroviral aseptic meningitis

• Published in: Current microbiology 1994, Vol.28 (1), p.49-52
• Main Authors: LEONARDI, G. P, COSTELLO, P
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; coxsackievirus; ECHOvirus; Human viral diseases; Infectious diseases; Medical sciences; Viral diseases; Viral diseases of the nervous system
• ISSN: 0343-8651; 1432-0991
• DOI: 10.1007/BF01575985

Monoclonal antibody pools directed against group B coxsackievirus and echovirus antigens were evaluated as tools in the identification of enteroviral aseptic meningitis. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serial dilutions of stock coxsackievirus were inoculated into tube and shell vial Rhesus monkey kidney (RhMk) cell cultures. Positive cellular fluorescence was observed only in conjunction with cytopathic effect (CPE). The time from inoculation to CPE was similar with both tube and shell vial cultures. Direct CSF testing failed to reliably identify positive specimens as fluorescent debris, and a lack of available cells hindered results. Viral components of each antibody blend demonstrated positive cellular fluorescence when appropriately stained. False-positive fluorescence was not observed when cells, infected with other CSF viruses, were stained with these reagents. The findings suggest a role for these reagents (available both as blends and type-specific reagents) in the culture confirmation and identification of many common enteroviral serotypes associated with aseptic meningitis.