Diphtheria is a bacterial infectious disease which appears predominantly during the childhood. The disease leads particularly to an inflammation of the pharynx, larynx and nasal mucosa. Additionally, bacterial
Diphtheria is a bacterial infectious disease which appears predominantly during the childhood. The disease leads particularly to an inflammation of the pharynx, larynx and nasal mucosa. Additionally, bacterial toxins cause via long-distance effect damages of the heart, circulation and CNS. Only the toxigenic strains are pathogenic.
The etiologic agent is the Corynebacterium diphtheriae.
Depending on the stage of disease, the three types 'slight, middle and serious' can be distinguished.
The appearance of Diphtheria shows a seasonal prevalence with the greatest incidence in winter. Especially non-vaccinated children will be infected. In most cases children will be vaccinated (DTP = Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis) after the third month of life. The state of immunity can be monitored by determining the IgG concentration.
Method:
Immunoenzymatic method for the quantitative determination of IgG class antibodies against Diphtheria toxin in human serum and plasma, using a disposable device applied on the Chorus and Chorus TRIO instruments.The test is based on the ELISA principle (Enzyme Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay) which uses the reaction between the antibodies present in the tested sample and the immobilized antigen bound to solid phases.The immunoglobulins bind to the antigen through incubation with diluted human serum.The disposable devices contain all the reagents to perform the test when applied on the Chorus instruments. The results are expressed in milli-International Units (mIU/ml) calculated in reference to “Who Reference Preparation 04/496”.
