Inventors:
Victor C. W. Tsang - Decatur GA
Patrick W. Johnson - Decatur GA
Michael J. Arrowood - Duluth GA
Jeffrey L. Call - Tucker GA
Assignee:
The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services - Washington DC
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Atlanta GA
International Classification:
G01N 3353
US Classification:
435 722, 435 77, 435 792, 436536, 436541
Abstract:
Methods for detecting parasites, such as , in turbid and non-turbid samples by solubilizing molecular markers or antigens of the parasite. The molecular markers are solubilized by incubating a sample containing the parasite with a solubilization buffer and detecting the solubilized antigens by electrochemiluminescence. The solubilization buffer contains one or more detergents alone or in combination with one or more denaturing agents in a buffered solution. The methods are an improvement over existing immunofluorescence assays for because the methods described herein are quantitative, reproducible, have high sensitivity, are not labor-intensive, require only minimal sample processing, and avoid being adversely affected by sample turbidity. In addition, by using a electrochemiluminescence assay, microscopy is not required.
