23 October 2014 - 23 October 2014 - US biotechnology firm Alpha Diagnostic Int'l (ADI) said yesterday it had created and launched a number of rapid and sensitive ELISA test kits for the identification of major Ebola viral protein antibodies, including Glycoprotein (GP), Nucleoprotein (NP) and Viral Protein 40 (VP40).

These kits can be used for human samples, as well as for monkey, dog and mouse since some of the Ebola vaccines are at first investigated in animal and primate models. The assay may also be used to detect if potential Ebola survivors have the antibodies before donating blood. 

ADI director, Dr. Masarrat Ali, noted that using these kits, a population survey can be performed to assess the immunity levels of Ebola in endemic regions. The levels of antibodies sufficient enough to provide immunity also have to be determined. ADI has developed similar antibody kits for dog and pig to identify if the animals from Ebola endemic regions have any circulating Ebola virus protein antibodies and are thus exposed to Ebola virus. The antibody ELISA kits are highly sensitive and require a drop of blood or serum to perform the test within 120 minutes.

The firm has also developed rapid ELISA kits to evaluate the Zmapp antibody concentration in its purified form and following infusion to humans or animals. Zmapp, an experimental therapeutic cocktail of three humanised GP monoclonal antibodies, has been utilised in some Ebola patients to neutralise the Ebola virus.