Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology
Volume 2005 (2005), Issue 4, Pages 316-321
doi:10.1155/JBB.2005.316
Research article
Bovine Serum Albumin Antibodies as a Disease Marker for Hepatitis E
Virus Infection
Department of Bioscience & Technology, Institute of Graduate Studies & Research, Alexandria University, 163 Horreya Avenue, PO Box 832, Chatby, Alexandria 21526, Egypt
Received 4 March 2005; Revised 1 June 2005; Accepted 7 June 2005
Abstract
This report evaluates the significance of antibody/bovine serum albumin
(BSA) interactions as a risk factor for the diagnosis of acute hepatitis E. Serum samples
from 40 patients with acute hepatitis E and from 40 age/sex matched healthy adult subjects
were tested for IgA, IgG, and IgM by ELISA and by turbidimetric assay. BSA was used as a
target to characterize changes in levels of interacting immunoglobulins. Initial results
obtained before removal of antibodies that interacted with BSA suggested that HEV
patients had increased levels of IgM in their sera. It was found
that normal individuals had mean IgA, IgG, and IgM levels of 2.55 mg/mL, 9.80 mg/mL, and 1.73 mg/mL, respectively while HEV patients had mean levels of 2.66 mg/mL, 10.04 mg/mL, and 2.01 mg/mL (P<.26, P<.32, and P<.0004). However, the mean level of IgM in HEV-infected sera after purification from
antibodies that interacted with BSA was determined to be 1.72 mg/mL indicating that there was no significant difference in IgM level
in HEV patients compared to normal individuals (P<.6). The presence of antibodies that interact with BSA might serve as a
diagnostic tool for detection of high-risk patients.