Aspergillus fumigatus IgM ELISA kit (ab247191) is designed for the qualitative determination of IgM class antibodies against Aspergillus fumigatus in human serum or plasma (citrate, heparin).

The qualitative immunoenzymatic determination of specific antibodies is based on the ELISA (Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay) technique. Microplates are coated with specific antigens to bind corresponding antibodies of the sample. After washing the wells to remove all unbound sample material a horseradish peroxidase (HRP) labelled conjugate is added. This conjugate binds to the captured antibodies. In a second washing step unbound conjugate is removed. The immune complex formed by the bound conjugate is visualized by adding Tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) substrate which gives a blue reaction product. The intensity of this product is proportional to the amount of specific antibodies in the sample. Sulphuric acid is added to stop the reaction. This produces a yellow endpoint colour. Absorbance at 450/620 nm is read using an ELISA microwell plate reader. 

Aspergillus fumigatus is a fungus of the genus Aspergillus and is one of the most common Aspergillus species to cause disease in individuals with an immunodeficiency. A. fumigatus, a saprotroph, is widespread in nature and is typically found in soil and decaying organic matter. Colonies of the fungus produce thousands of small conidia (2-3 μm) that readily become airborne. The fungus is capable of growth at temperatures up to 50 °C, with conidia surviving at 70 °C. Humans are continuously in contact with these asexual spores and it is estimated that an individual inhales several hundred conidia each day; typically, these are quickly eliminated by the immune system. Aspergillosis develops mainly in individuals who are immunocompromised, either from disease or from immunosuppressive drugs, and is a leading cause of death in acute leukemia and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.