Evaluation by ELISA of Ricin Concentration in Fluids and Tissues after Exposure to Aerosolised Ricin, and Evaluation of an Immunochromatographic Test for Field Diagnosis

Introduction: We have formerly developed a point-of-care Immunochromatographic Test (ICT) for the diagnosis of ricin pulmonary intoxication, which was intended to be utilised after nasal swabbing. The requested limit of sensitivity for such a diagnosis was calculated but not tested experimentally, and no other sample source was considered. Here, this approach was evaluated on various samples taken from mice intoxicated by a low dose of aerosolised ricin, to push the system to its limits. The best source of sampling for the diagnosis of ricin intoxication was assessed, as was the validity of the ICT.