A comparison of two ELISA methods for the investigation of anti-cytomegalovirus IgG antibodies

Abstract

The Alpha-method ELISA for detection of anti-cytomegalovirus (CMV) IgG antibodies (test 1) was compared with another ELISA technique MEIA (test 2). Samples (248 sera and 56 cerebrospinal fluid) from patients with suspected CMV infection were investigated. Discordant samples were re-analysed, undiluted, with a latex test. Positive results were considered to be true positives when there was agreement in the results from the two methods. There were fourteen discrepant samples (4.6%). The latex agglutination test confirmed eight positive for test 1 and six positive for test 2. The overall diagnostic yield of tests 1 and 2 was sensitivity, 91% and 100%; specificity, 99% and 96%; positive predictive values, 95% and 85%; and negative predictive values 98% and 100%, respectively.