Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay And Immunochromatography In The Evaluation Of Anti- Rubella Antibodies

A new commercially available rapid screening immunochromatographic test (ICT) for Detection of anti-rubella IgG & IgM antibodies was compared with ELISA. Materials and methods: 161 serum samples were tested by immunochromatography card test (Rubella IgG/IgM, SD –Bioline) and were compared with a standard IgG & IgM ELISA (Ani Biotech Oy, Orgenium Laboratories, Vantaa, Finland). Results: ELISA and ICT showed a sensitivity and specificity of 63.4% and specificity of 77% and 36.6% and 22.52% respectively in detection of anti-rubella IgG antibodies .All samples were negative for IgM by both methods. Statistical analysis done using Chisquare test showed a significant difference in sensitivity and specificity between the two tests (p< 0.05). Conclusion: ELISA was superior in achieving a comparatively high sensitivity and specificity. The rapid test required little technical expertise, lesser time and could be done without elaborate equipment unlike the ELISA. If the low sensitivity and specificity of ICT could be corrected in the kit by using better high inbuilt sensitivity & specificity controls for antirubella IgG, then it could replace IgG ELISA in screening for rubella antibodies in peripheral laboratories.