Comparison of Non-Serogroup 1 Detection by Biotest and Binax Legionella Urinary Antigen Enzyme Immunoassays

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Abstract
The Binax enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and radioimmunoassay (RIA) both showed a certain cross-reactivity with non-serogroup 1 Legionella pneumophila, as is to be expected when using polyclonal rabbit antibodies for the antigen detection. The Biotest EIA is the former urinary antigen EIA from the Robert Koch Institute in Berlin developed by Fehrenbach for extended cross-reactivity with non-serogroup 1 L. pneumophila. Benson demonstrated that only 10 of 45 non-serogroup 1 urine samples previously positive in the broad-spectrum enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay described by Tang were positive with the Binax EIA (22%), whereas 13 of 42 of these samples were positive with the Biotest EIA (31%); when using a lower cut-off, 20 (48%) were positive with Biotest EIA. 28 non-serogroup 1 samples were evaluated from different countries provided by users of the test to demonstrate reactivity of the two urinary antigen tests with these urines. Binax EIA and Biotest EIA kits were used according to the test kit instructions. The Biotest EIA therefore demonstrates a considerably broader cross-reactivity with urines from non-serogroup 1 L. pneumophila infections than the Binax EIA. Certainly more potential exists by fully exploiting the advantages of polyclonal antibodies from rabbits, broadly cross-reactive with Legionella species in the Biotest EIA, in continuing efforts to further improve reactivity with Legionella species other than L. pneumophila.

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