Method Description

Highly purified recombinant hepatitis E virus (HEV) antigens (O2N, O2C, and O3 from genotypes 1 and 3, and O2M from genotype 1) are fixed to nitrocellulose membrane test strips. The test strips are incubated with the diluted patient serum sample, allowing virus-specific human IgM antibodies to bind to the antigens present on the test strips. Unbound human antibodies are then washed away. In the second step, the strips are incubated with anti-human IgM antibodies coupled with horseradish peroxidase enzyme. Unbound conjugate antibodies are then washed away. Specifically bound human IgM antibodies are detected with a staining reaction catalyzed by the peroxidase. A dark band will appear on the strip at the corresponding point if a reaction has taken place.(Package insert: recomLine HEV IgG/IgM kit. Mikrogen Diagnostik; rev 10/2014)