The Comparison of Sensitivity and Specificity of ELISA-based Microneutralization Test with Hemagglutination Inhibition Test to Evaluate Neutralizing Antibody against Influenza Virus (H1N1)

Abstract

Objective: To compare the sensitivity and specificity of ELISA-based microneutralization test with hemaglutination inhibition test for the evaluation of neutralizing antibody against influenza virus (H1N1). Study Design: Nonrandomized Quasi Trail. Study Place and Study Duration: Department of Medicine, Allama Iqbal memorial teaching hospital, Sialkot and Nishtar Hospital Multan. January 2018 to May 2019. Material and methods: A total of 188 patients were enrolled in our study out of which 101 suffered from influenza type A. Serum samples were collected from different staff members during this period. ELISA based Microneutralization test was performed in 101 samples and similarly Hemagglutination assay was also performed in 101 serum samples. Tests were run twice on two separate days and final result was average of the two runs. All the data thus obtained was subjected to statistical analysis. Frequency and percentages were calculated for qualitative variables like, gender, sensitivity and specificity, while mean and standard deviation was calculated for quantitative variables like, age and BMI. Results: Both the tests were performed on all the sera samples. The sensitivity of the Hemagglutination Inhibition Test (HI) was 65.34% and the specificity was 66.51%. On the contrary, the sensitivity was 87.12% and specificity was 90.80% on the ELISA based microneutralization assay (micro NT-ELISA). As the sensitivity and specificity of the micro NT-ELISA is more than that of Hemagglutination Inhibition Test, this makes ELISA based microneutralization assay superior.Conclusion: ELISA based microneutralization test is much more sensitive and specific as compared to the hemaglutination inhibitor assay in terms of detection of neutralizing antibodies against influenza virus (H1N1).

Keywords: Microneutralization, Hemagglutination, Influenza

DOI: 10.7176/JMPB/65-08

Publication date: April 30^th 2020