ELISA for Anthrax Antibodies

A new enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that detects antibodies to anthrax provides an easy-to-use clinical laboratory tool for assessing whether patients have been infected with anthrax. It is the first test for anthrax antibodies to be cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The test was developed by Immunnetics, Inc. (Boston, MA, USA) and was funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, Atlanta, GA, USA). The test is quicker and easier to interpret than previous antibody testing methods and can be completed in about one hour. Previously, very few laboratories had the ability to test blood for antibodies to anthrax, except for the CDC and the U.S. Army.

Humans can contract anthrax by handling products from infected animals or by breathing in or coming in close contact with Bacillus Anthracis spores from infected animal products such as unprocessed hides and bones. Anthrax can also be transmitted to humans when anthrax spores are used as a bioterrorist weapon.






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