Serological tests in leprosy. The sensitivity, specificity and predictive valueof ELISA tests based on phenolic glycolipid antigens, and the implications for their use in epidemiological studies
- 1 August 1988
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Cambridge University Press (CUP) in Epidemiology and Infection
- Vol. 101 (1), 159-171
- https://doi.org/10.1017/s0950268800029320
Abstract
SUMMARY: This paper examines the sensitivity and specificity of two ELISA assays for IgM antibodies toMycobacterium leprae, one employing natural phenolic glycolipid and the other employing a synthetic disaccharide glycoconjugate as antigen. Estimates of sensitivity and specificity are derived, based on a panel of sera from leprosy cases in Malawi and various non-leprosy controls from the UK. Though both assays were able to identify a high proportion of multibacillary patients, neither was able to detect a high proportion of paucibacillary patients without considerable loss of specificity. The implications of the inverse relationship between sensitivity and specificity are discussed with reference to the predictive value of such tests in such areas as Malawi, where the large majority of cases are paucibacillary.This publication has 18 references indexed in Scilit:
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