Detection of IgM antibodies to cytomegalovirus (CMV) using an enzyme-labelled antigen (ELA).

We have applied a peroxidase enzyme-labelled antigen (ELA) for the detection of IgM antibodies to cytomegalovirus: microtitre plates were coated with anti-IgM immunoglobulin. The IgM fraction of human serum was selectively bound to the precoated plates and the virus-specific IgM antibody was then detected by the enzyme-labelled antigen. A very efficient technique for the labelling of virus antigen is described. The IgM antibody was detected simply and specifically, Rheumatoid factor IgM did not interfere with this test.