Development of an Enzyme Immunoassay for Detection of Sapovirus-Specific Antibodies and Its Application in a Study of Seroprevalence in Children

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Abstract
Sapoviruses (SVs) are an important cause of acute pediatric gastroenteritis. Due to the lack of appropriate diagnostic methods, the epidemiology of SV-associated illness remains poorly understood. Baculovirus and Escherichia coli expression systems were evaluated for the development of antibody detection enzyme immunoassays (EIA). Age-related antibody prevalence in children was studied using the new EIA. Because of the low yield of the baculovirus system, the E. coli -expressed SV capsid proteins were used to develop the EIA. The antigenic specificities of the E. coli -expressed SV capsid proteins were demonstrated using hyperimmune antisera raised in animals and sera collected from patients. A high prevalence (>90%) of antibodies to both SV (strain Mex340) and norovirus (strain VA387) was observed in children involved in a birth cohort at 20 to 24 months of age; however, at 1 to 3 months of age, 90% with anti-NV antibodies. The E. coli -derived SV proteins are an excellent source of antigens for the EIA. SV infection is common in the first 2 years of life. The low prevalence of maternal antibodies detected in Mexican children against SVs in this study is unique and needs to be addressed in future studies.