Detection of antibody to Staphylococcus aureus teichoic acid by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

Abstract

A sensitive, specific, and rapid enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay has been developed for the detection of immunoglobulin G to Staphylococcus aureus teichoic acid in human sera. Detection of S. aureus teichoic acid antibody is at least 800 times more sensitive than a double diffusion in gel assay, and positive titers of 1:25,600 and greater were observed with this assay. Results with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay can be obtained within 3.5 h by using antigen-coated cuvettes. Quantitation of S. aureus teichoic acid antibody by this enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay may be useful in the initial as well as the follow-up diagnosis of serious S. aureus infections.