PROCESS AND MATERIALS FOR RAPID DETECTION OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS PNEUMONIAE EMPLOYING PURIFIED ANTIGEN-SPECIFIC ANTIBODIES

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a specific and highly sensitive immunochromatographic ([ICT]) assay method that is performable within about 15 minutes for a detection of Staphylococcus pneumoniae in a bodily fluid such as urine or cerebrospinal fluid of a patient showing clinical signs of an infection caused by the Staphylococcus pneumoniae.SOLUTION: An immunochromatographic assay method includes a step of binding C-polysaccharide antigen of Staphylococcus pneumoniae containing not more than about 10% protein from the Staphylococcus pneumoniae to a spacer molecule, binding a free end of the latter to a chromatographic affinity column, utilizing the column to purify raw antibodies to the Streptococcus pneumonia, thereby obtaining antigen-specific antibodies, binding a portion of such antibodies to a labeling substance, and preparing an immunochromatographic assay device; and a step of diagnosing various pathogenic states caused by the Staphylococcus pneumoniae including pneumonia, bronchitis, otitis media, sinusitis, meningitis, and secondary disease states that commonly occur by this bacterium.