Evaluation and Comparison of ELISA and Indirect Immunofluorescence Methods for the Detection of Anti-Listeria Antibodies Among Women with Spontaneous Abortion Referred to Kamali Hospital in Karaj, Iran

Listeria monocytogenes is one of the most important causes of abortion and postpartum infection in newborns. This study aimed to compare the indirect ELISA and immunofluorescence methods for the detection of anti-Listeria antibodies among women with spontaneous abortion.
In this study, indirect ELISA and immuno-fluorescence methods were used for the detection of anti-Listeria antibodies. Five milliliters of blood sample were collected from mothers with spontaneous abortion during the third trimester of pregnancy in a ward that examines the diseases of female genital tract in Kamali Hospital of Karaj, Iran. The samples were then transferred to the laboratory for examination using relevant kits. The serum titers of positive samples were also assessed via both ELISA and indirect immunofluorescence for evaluation of IgG and IgM antibodies. The antibodies titers were compared using SPSS software while P values From the 58 evaluated serum samples, 21 were positive for anti-Listeria antibody. Statistical analysis showed that ELISA and indirect immunofluorescence methods had identical sensitivity. Moreover, it was shown that identification of IgG antibody was better performed in both diagnostic methods.
Both ELISA and indirect immunofluorescence methods are suitable methods for the detection of antibodies against Listeria.