Ricin Antigen Capture ELISA

Detection of ricin toxin in biological samples by ELISA.

• Ricin intoxication

Whole blood – minimum 0.5 mL, powder, liquid, beans, plant material, food sample.

Whole blood – EDTA tube; powder/liquid – submit in a sterile 2 mL o-ring microcentrifuge tube; food/beans/plant material – submit in an appropriately sized container with an o-ring.

Store samples refrigerated until shipped for testing. 

Shipping of specimens shall be done by a TDG certified individual in accordance with TDG regulations. For additional information regarding classification of specimens for the purposes of shipping, consult either Part 2 Appendix 3 of the TDG Regulations or section 3.6.2 of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations as applicable.

Confirmed ricin-positive sample. 

Completed Bioforensics Assay Development and Diagnostics requisition including sender name, address and telephone number.  Patient name or identifier (referring lab #), date of birth, suspected exposure, test(s) requested, clinical history, travel history type of specimen and date collected. 

N/A

Ricin Antigen Capture ELISA is performed on samples suspected to contain intact ricin toxin or samples confirmed as positive by real-time PCR.

4 calendar days for a preliminary result and 14 calendar days for a final result.

1. Maddaloni, M, et al., 2004. Immunological characteristics associated with the protective efficacy of antibodies to ricin. J Immunol 172, 6221-6228.