TYÖN NIMI - Theseus

SAVONIA UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
Health Professions Kuopio
THESIS
Abstract
Degree Programme: Biomedical laboratory science
Option:
Authors: Haapalahti Riikka, Korhonen Helena
Title of Thesis: In-House ELISA assay for microbespesific IgM antibodies, determination of reference values
Date: 9.12.2009 Pages / appendices: 59/7
Supervisor: Principal Lecturer Sirkka-Liisa Halimaa
Contact persons: Institute of Occupational Health, Kuopio Regional Office
Researcher Sirpa Pennanen, Laborant Mari Haapakoski
Moisture damages are unusually common in Finland. There are many reasons for that: mistakes made during
construction, false material choices and inadequate maintenance operations. Mold damages will be formed if
the moisture damage is not detected and it is not repaired. Exposure to moisture and mold damages may cause
health effects. Respiratory infections, nose and throat irritation, skin irritation and allergic reactions are most
common symptoms and illnesses that microbes cause.
The human body is exposed to billions of foreign bodies or antigens each and every day. If an antigen enters
the body, the body produces antibodies against it. Antibodies bind to antigens and this prevents the antigen
doing any harm. It is important to know how the body has reacted against some distraction or why it has not
reacted at all. That is why immunological methods have been developed. ELISA (Enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay) is a common method in detection for human antibodies. Institute of Occupational
Health, Kuopio Regional Office determine IgG and IgE antibodies with ELISA method and has started the
process of validation the method for IgM antibodies.
The aim of this study was to participate in the project of Institute of Occupational Health Kuopio Regional
Institute to validate the method for IgM antibodies and determine reference values for IgM antibodies. The
material, 200 human serum samples were collected by National Institute for Health and Welfare. People were
24–64 years old living in Kuopio. In this study the IgM antibody levels for eight wet environment microbes (6panel)
in 100 serum samples and eight moisture damage microbes (7 panel) in 100 serum samples were
determined. The reference values were calculated so that 90 % of healthy individuals is 90 % percentile to
below the threshold. The Institute of Occupational Health, Kuopio Regional Office may compare the values of
patient to these reference values.
Keywords: (1-5) antibody, moisture damage microbe, ELISA, reference value
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