Intended use (Research only)

• Detection of human IgG and IgM antibodies in serum or plasma directed against the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Francisella tularensis

• Support in the detection of tularemia 

• Epidemiological studies

Efficiency

The evaluation of the IBL Francisella tularensis IgG ELISA was performed in an internal study with 98 serum samples of healthy blood donors, 50 sera from subjects with acute infection and 7 sera with reaction patterns of infection in the past against the ELISA of another manufacturer. The evaluation of the IBL Francisella tularensis IgM ELISA was performed in an internal study with 97 serum samples of healthy blood donors and 55 from subjects with infections against the ELISA of another manufacturer.

Precision

 Francisella tularensis IgG ELISA:

Francisella tularensis IgM ELISA:

Pathogen

Tularemia is a zoonosis caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis. Two types of Francisella tularensis can be distinguished epidemiologically, biochemically and genotypically: Francisella tularensis biovar tularensis (type A) is highly virulent. If left untreated, the infection has a high mortality. Francisella tularensis biovar holarctica (type B) is much less virulent but can also cause severe illness.

Disease

The first symptoms of tularemia usually appear two to five days after the infection has occurred. Besides the classical general symptoms such as fever, malaise and joint and muscle pains, the clinical picture of tularemia can be very diverse. Inhalation of the pathogen often leads to a pulmonary manifestation (e. g. pneumonia) or to a septic, typhus-like illness. Infection through the digestive tract can cause vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea. When identified promptly, tularemia can be treated effectively with antibiotics.

Detection

Detection through culture from peripheral blood, swabs and biopsy material is difficult and can take several weeks. Since it is a highly infectious pathogen, such tests are reserved for specialized laboratories. Serological detection can be made by means of ELISA through the detection of specific antibodies.

Highlights

• Use of the lipopolysaccharid (LPS) of Francisella tularensis biovar holarctica for the demonstration of antibodies directed against Francisella tularensis Type A and Type B 

• Determination of IgG and IgM antibodies for disease stage monitoring and therapy control as well as vaccination control after immunization of research subjects

• Excellent sensitivity and specificity values