Enzyme-linked lectinosorbent assay (ELLA) for detectingBacillus anthracis

Abstract

An enzyme-linked lectinosorbent assay (ELLA) has been developed for the rapid identification ofBacillus anthracis. Using two different lectin-conjugates, the ELLA test can differentiateBacillus anthracis from closely related species, such asBacillus cereus andBacillus cereus var.mycoides, in approximately two hours. In addition to having high specificity, the test can also detect small numbers of the bacterium.