摘要：

Objectives—Development of a user-friendly test alternative to ELISA-based assays to detect IFN- γ by in vitro cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) stimulated with pathogen-derived antigens. Design and methods—The molecular components of an operational IFN-γ ELISA-based test were applied in a lateral flow (LF) immuno-sandwich assay using up-converting phosphor (UCP) reporter particles. The analytical sensitivity of the UCP-LF IFN-γ assay (ULIGA) was determined and the assay was qualitatively validated with a selection of 60 supernatants derived from PBMC cultures stimulated with M. leprae derived antigens, mitogen or medium alone. Results—ULIGA indicated an analytical sensitivity better than 2 pg/mL, and demonstrated four orders of magnitude dynamic range. The assay correlated well with the IFN-γ ELISA. Conclusions—ULIGA allows detection well below the cutoff value (100 pg/mL) used to define positive responses in the IFN-γ ELISA. The test procedure is less demanding in respect to equipment and labor, and is suited for testing single samples.

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