Influenza B IgM ELISA

Enzyme immunoassay for the qualitative determination of IgM class antibodies against Influenza virus B in human serum or plasma (citrate). Influenza are RNA viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae. Influenza viruses are divided into three types, designated A, B, and C which are differentiated by the specificity of a soluble antigen associated with the internal ribonucleoprotein component of the virion. The virions are sperical particles of 80-120 nm in diameter consisting of the ribonucleoprotein component and enveloped by matrix protein and a lipid bilayer which contains two spikeline structures: viral hemagglutinin (H) and viral neuraminidase (N). Influenza viruses are respiratory tract pathogens which are transmitted by direct contact, large-droplet infection, or by contaminated surfaces. Influenza types A and B are responsible for epidemics of respiratory illness that occur almost every winter and are often associated with increased rates of hospitalization and death. Type C infections usually cause either a very mild respiratory illness or no symptoms at all; it does not cause epidemics and does not have the severe public health impact that influenza types A and B do. Pandemics of influenza virus type A infections have occurred at 10 to 20 year intervals since 1890. Apparently this results from alterations in the composition of the H and N antigens (antigenic “drift” and antigenic “shift”). Currently two subtypes of influenza A are circulating worldwide. Normally influenza is a self-limiting disease lasting for 3 to 7 days, but some people develop serious and potentially life-threatening medical complications, such as pneumonia, particularly in children, elderly people and other vulnerable groups.

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