Human Anti-MERS-CoV RBD IgG ELISA Kit

Sample

Serum, plasma or other biological samples

Species Reactivity

Human

Intended Use

Human Anti-MERS-RBD IgG ELISA Kit is an indirect ELISA suitable for quantifying IgG antibody activity for MERS Receptor-Binding Protein (RBD) in human serum, plasma or other qualified biological samples from vaccinated, immunized and/or infected hosts.
This immunoassay is suitable for:
(1) Determining immune status relative to non-immune controls;
(2) Assessing efficacy of vaccines, including dosage, adjuvantcy, route of immunization and timing;
(3) Qualifying and standardizing vaccine batches & protocols.
Recombivirus series of ELISA kits uses recombinant purified antigens; no virus or viral proteins are used in the kit. The assay is for research use only, not for diagnostic use.

Storage

The microtiter well plate and all other reagents, if unopened, are stable at 2-8 °C until the expiration date printed on the box label.

General Description

MERS is a viral respiratory infection caused by the newly identified MERS-coronavirus (MERS-CoV), a betacoronavirus derived from bats. MERS can range from asymptomatic disease to severe pneumonia leading to the acute respiratory distress syndrome. As of Jan 2015, MERS caused more than 900 human infections with ~40% mortality. MERS-CoV cases have been reported in several Middle Eastern countries, Bangladesh, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Early research suggested the virus is related to one found in the bats and in dromedary camels, as 90-100% camels have antibodies to the MERS-CoV spike protein. Human or animal's diagnostic serology is based upon PCR or ELISA or antibody neutralization tests. There are no vaccines available for MERS.
MERS-CoV, a +RNA virus from Betacoronavirus lineage C, is more closely related to the bat coronaviruses HKU4 and HKU5 (lineage 2C, ~90% identity) than it is to SARS-CoV (lineage 2B). Serologic analysis of CoVs is challenging because of crossreactivity between CoVs infecting the same host and the broad distribution of CoVs in diverse mammalian species. Many small animals (mice, hamsters and ferrets) lack the functional MERSCoV receptor (DPP4) and are not susceptible to infection.
MERS produces structural proteins (Spike, S; Envelope (E), Membrane (M), and Nucleocapsid protein (NP). S protein (1353-aa) has 2 well defined domains: S1 (1-751aa) and S2 (752-1353aa). During viral entry, the S protein is cleaved into S1 and S2 subunits by host cell derived proteases. S1 subunit mediates virus binding to cells expressing DPP4 through its receptor-binding domain (RBD, 367-606 aa) region and an S2 subunit that mediates virus-cell membrane fusion. A truncated RBD domain (377-588) protein binds efficiently to DPP4. NP protein is required for RNA synthesis, and has RNA chaperone activity. The presence of MERS viral antibodies (N, E and S, and S1) have been used to detect MERS infection.