An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detecting antibodies to Pasteurella multocida in chickens

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed to detect the humoral antibody response in chickens receiving subcutaneous injections of the CU vaccine strain of Pasteurella multocida. Serum samples were collected twice weekly for 3 weeks, and chicken antibody responses were monitored using ELISA. The positive/negative ratio method of analysis was used to determine the antibody titer of vaccinated chickens. After a loge transformation of the ELISA titer, a linear relationship was confirmed between ELISA titer and positive/negative ratio. Regression analysis was used to construct a standard curve and derive an equation from this relationship. Using this equation, only one dilution was needed to determine the antibody titer of any unknown serum sample. The ELISA technique was used to monitor the mean antibody titer of vaccinated chickens over the 3-week period. A classic primary response curve occurred when titer was plotted against time.     

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for enzootic bovine leukosis virus antibodies

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detecting antibodies to enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL) virus is described and its sensitivity compared with that of the agar gel immunodiffusion test (AGIDT) using 198 sera collected in Great Britain. There was 95 per cent agreement between the ELISA and AGIDT, when sera with positive/negative ratio (P/N) values of 1 . 5 or greater were considered positive. A total of 259 out of 264 sera (98 per cent) collected in Northern Ireland had P/N values of less than 1 . 5, the remaining sera having P/N values of 1 . 5 and 1 . 6. As Northern Ireland is clinically and serologically free of EBL infection it is proposed that sera with P/N values of 1 . 5 and 1 . 6, which account for approximately 3.5 per cent of the total sera tested, are considered doubtful and should be tested by another serological test.     

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of antibodies to Marek's disease virus

A reproducible enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using Marek's disease virus (MDV)-infected cells for the detection of antibodies to MDV is described. The optimum number of MDV-infected chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEF) was 5 X 10(4)/well, and test sera were positive at 1:400 dilutions. Compared with a purified virus preparation, MDV-infected CEF produced high specific and low nonspecific reactivities. Wells coated with whole cells could be stored at 4 C or -20 C for at least 3 months without loss of reactivity. With antibody-negative sera, the cutoff absorbency was 0.20 units. The ELISA was 20-to-40-fold more sensitive than indirect immunofluorescence. Homologous combinations of antisera in wells coated with CEF infected with different MDV serotypes were more reactive at higher dilutions than were heterologous combinations. The procedure described is specific and suitable for large-scale screening of both chicken and monoclonal antibodies against MDV.     

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of antibodies against bovine pestivirus

A competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was developed and compared with the serum neutralisation test for bovine pestivirus using 508 cattle sera and serial serum samples from a goat hyperimmunized with five bovine pestivirus isolates. There was 96.7% agreement between the two tests. The relative sensitivity of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay compared to the serum neutralisation test was 95.2% and the relative specificity was 99.4%. The titres of individual animals in the assay did not show a close correlation with serum neutralisation test titres. This may be because the antibodies measured in the two tests are directed against different viral proteins. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay has the advantage of being quicker and cheaper than the serum neutralisation test. The configuration used in the ELISA means sera from all species can be tested for pestivirus antibody using the same set of reagents.     

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of antibodies to exogenous avian leukosis virus

A microplate enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detecting antibodies to avian leukosis virus (ALV) of subgroups A and B in infected chickens was developed with the use of Rous-associated virus (RAV)-1 (subgroup A) and RAV-2 (subgroup B) antigens purified by sucrose-gradient centrifugation. The antigen was used for ELISA after treatment with Triton X-100. In the ELISA, the subgroup viral antigen reacted strongly with homologous antiserum but also reacted with heterologous antiserum. Tests with serum absorbed with purified homologous and heterologous virus and tests for antigen-blocking by group-specific antibodies to ALV revealed that the reaction was caused mainly by subgroup-specific antibodies. The ELISA was 8 to 32 times more sensitive than the virus-neutralization (VN) test and detected antibodies to ALV earlier than the VN test in chickens infected experimentally with RAV-1 and RAV-2. In field application of the ELISA, 44.2% of 484 chicken sera were positive for RAV-1 and/or RAV-2 antigen, and 80.4% of flocks were positive. These findings indicate that ELISA is superior to the VN test in sensitivity, simplicity, rapidity, and applicability for large-scale field surveys for ALV infection.     

Rapid enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detecting antibodies to canine parvovirus

A rapid screening assay for determining antibodies to canine parvovirus in dog serum using monoclonal antibodies and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technology was developed. The ELISA could be read visually, and the results correlated well with serum neutralization (SN) and hemagglutination inhibition (HI) titers. Sera with SN less than or equal to 1:4 or HI less than or equal to 1:10 had an 87.9% correlation with ELISA and sera with SN greater than or equal to 1:64 or HI greater than or equal to 1:80 had a 94.4% correlation. The assay took only 10 to 15 minutes to perform and did not require specialized equipment. The ELISA should be useful in monitoring dogs for the presence of maternal antibodies against parvovirus and for determining seroconversion after vaccination.     

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of vesicular stomatitis virus antibodies

A liquid-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for the detection of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) types New Jersey (VSV-NJ) and Indiana subtype Indiana I (VSV-IND₁) antibodies in the sera of naturally and experimentally infected cattle, horses and swine. Four different VSV preparations were compared for use as antigen in the ELISA: virus used in neutralization tests, complement-fixation antigen, immunodiffusion ager gel antigen and viral glycoprotein. Comparative antibody titration results of virus neutralization (VN) and ELISA showed no statistically significant difference between serum titers obtained with the four antigens to VSV-NJ (P=0.21) and VSV-IND₁ (P=0.14). The viral glycoprotein antigen was incorporated in the ELISA system because it is non-infectious and induces neutralizing antibodies. The reliability and variability of the ELISA was determined by testing 516 bovine, equine and swine sera which originated from areas free of vesicular stomatitis, and by testing 186 sera from areas where outbreaks occur. ELISA and VN results were correlated (P < 0.001 for both serotypes), and no statiscafically difference was found between replications of the tests. The ELISA allows the testing of a larger number of sera in a shorter time than is possible with the VN test and it can be used in diagnostic laboratories in VSV-free areas for the support of epidemiological surveillance programs.     

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of bovine antibodies to vesicular stomatitis virus

An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed to detect bovine antibody to vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). Serum samples from cows experimentally infected with the New Jersey serotype of VSV (VSV-NJ) were assayed by the ELISA and serum-neutralization (SN) assay. The ELISA was as sensitive as the SN assay in detecting bovine antibody to VSV. The correlation between SN titers and ELISA values at absorbance at 405 nm was statistically significant. The ELISA was not specific for VSV-NJ, however, and could detect serum samples positive to the Indiana serotype of VSV that had SN titers of greater than or equal to 480. Nonspecific reactions were due to cross-reactive group-specific viral proteins that are shared by both serotypes. The cross-reactivity allows the use of a single rapid test in identifying both serotypes of VSV from the other exotic vesicular diseases, especially foot-and-mouth disease. The ELISA titers of serum samples positive for VSV-NJ were comparable with the corresponding SN titers of each sample. The sensitivity, rapidity, and ease of the ELISA system and the use of a single test in identifying both serotypes of VSV from the other exotic vesicular diseases make this ELISA suitable as a rapid diagnostic assay for VS.     

An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of antibodies to maedi-visna virus

An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of antibodies to maedi-visna virus (mvv) in sheep is described, in which microtitre plates are with a partly purified preparation of mvv. The antibodies bound are detected by a horseradish peroxidase conjugate.The results obtained with ELISA on a total of 493 serum samples from several commercial flocks were compared to those of a routine agar gel precipitation test (AGPT) and a complement fixation test (CFT).All samples which scored positive in AGPT, CFT or both (20.8%) were also found positive by ELISA. In addition, with ELISA a further 11.5% of the samples were positive. Serum samples from maedi-free flocks, from sheep suffering from sheep pulmonary adenomatosis and from lambs immunized against other viruses were all negative by ELISA. The assay has been used routinely for some years and proved to be specific, sensitive and suited for screening of large numbers of serum samples.     

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of Brucella abortus in cattle using monoclonal antibodies

One group of 24 cattle was vaccinated with the usual calfhood dose of B. abortus strain 19 and a further 27 cattle were similarly vaccinated but as adults. Twenty-four cattle (12 from each group) and a control group of 12 cattle were subsequently challenged with B. abortus strain 544. Two monoclonal antibodies (MA (A) and MA (B) ) conjugated to horseradish peroxidase were used independently in a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to test the serums. After vaccination with B. abortus strain 19, the performance of the monoclonal antibodies was in general agreement with the CFT as fewer calfhood vaccinates were positive 12 weeks after vaccination to the ELISA with MA (A) and MA (B) than adult vaccinates. After challenge, MA (A) and MA (B) ELISA tests detected the infected cattle earlier than the CFT, but more positive reactions occurred in the cattle that proved uninfected at slaughter.     

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of antibodies to Mycoplasma gallisepticum in experimentally infected chickens

An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed and tested for its ability to detect humoral response to Mycoplasma gallisepticum in chickens. Two antigens were used in the solid phase of the assay. Antigen 1 was a membrane-derived sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-solubilized preparation; Antigen 2 was prepared in the same manner as Antigen 1 but was passed through an immunoadsorbent column containing rabbit anti-medium antibodies. Test conditions were optimized for incubation times and temperatures. Antigen, serum, and enzyme conjugate concentrations were standardized, and reproducibility was determined. A baseline value, representing a positive or negative result, was established independently for both antigens. The assay was then used to detect anti-M. gallisepticum antibodies in experimentally infected chickens. Serum samples collected at 0, 2, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28, and 35 days postinfection (PI) were analyzed by serum plate agglutination (SPA), hemagglutination-inhibition (HI), and ELISA with both Antigens 1 and 2. ELISA was found to be less sensitive but more specific than SPA and more sensitive than HI. The ELISA was more sensitive with Antigen 1 than with Antigen 2. The former assay correctly identified 79% of the serum samples positive for M. gallisepticum by 7 days PI and 100% of the positive birds by 35 days PI. When the absorbance values for each group of birds were averaged, the ELISA successfully identified the M. gallisepticum-infected birds as uniformly positive 7 through 35 days PI and correctly identified all other groups negative for M. gallisepticum through 35 days PI.     

Blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of antibodies against bovine enterovirus

A blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for detecting antibodies against bovine enterovirus (BEV) in bovine sera. In this ELISA, bovine serum samples were allowed to react with captured viral antigens (by specific chicken IgG), before the addition of specific mouse IgG for measuring non-occupied viral epitopes. The ELISA was slightly more sensitive and required a shorter time period than traditional serum neutralisation (SN). Among the 871 bovine serum samples tested so far, the titres produced by this assay had a significant correlation with those recorded by SN. The ELISA could be used as an alternative assay for SN in a large-scale BEV antibody investigation.     

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of antibodies to avian adenovirus and avian adenovirus-associated virus in chickens

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay system (ELISA) was adapted for the detection of antibodies to avian adenovirus (AV) and avian adenovirus-associated virus (A-AV). Both before and after exposure, sera from chickens undergoing natural and experimental infections were assayed by ELISA, virus neutralization (VN), and immunodiffusion (ID) for antibody to both CELO virus and A-AV. The ELISA system was found to be comparable to VN for determining antibody concentrations to CELO virus and A-AV. In many cases, ELISA was found to be more sensitive than ID.     

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of antibodies to avian reticuloendotheliosis virus using whole cell antigen

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using reticuloendotheliosis virus-infected chick embryo fibroblasts as coating antigen is described for the detection of antibodies to reticuloendotheliosis virus in chicken sera. The ELISA was specific and during the early stages of infection more sensitive than an indirect fluorescent antibody test.     

Detection of antibodies to mouse thymic virus by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect serum antibodies to mouse thymic virus, a herpesvirus that causes thymic lesions and immunosuppression. Antibodies were detected in mice that had received single or multiple injections of the virus and were also found in mice housed in contact with the experimentally infected animals. By contrast, mice not exposed to mouse thymic virus or those inoculated with an uninfected thymus preparation remained seronegative. A serological survey of eight mouse colonies revealed one positive colony, confirmed by virus isolation. These results show that the test is sufficiently sensitive and specific to be used for routine screening of mice.     

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with the recombinant merozoite protein as antigen for detection of antibodies to Eimeria necatrix

A cDNA library was constructed with Eimeria necatrix merozoite mRNA and immunologically screened by chicken sera against this parasite. One of the positive clones containing an insert of 879 nucleotides, pNP19, showed similarity to part of a published gene expressed in E. tenella merozoite by the homology search system. The inserted DNA was subcloned into baculovirus, and a 35-kD protein was expressed, purified, and used for the antigen in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Antibodies from the chickens vaccinated with the E. necatrix attenuated strain, Nn-P125, were detected from 14 days after vaccination by ELISA. The mean absorbance increased rapidly to a peak around 21 days after vaccination; thereafter, it began to decline. Even though some of the vaccinated chickens showed very low levels of antibody response to the recombinant protein 56 days after vaccination, they were protected against challenge with virulent strain of E. necatrix. The mean absorbances in sera from both vaccinated and nonvaccinated chickens highly increased 14 days after challenge. On the other hand, the antibody was not detected in ELISA when chickens were exposed to other Eimeria species such as E. tenella, E. acervulina, and E. maxima. These results demonstrate that this recombinant protein is suitable for detecting the specific antibody in chickens infected with both attenuated and virulent strains of E. necatrix.     

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of antibodies to Anaplasma centrale and Anaplasma marginale

An enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) was applied to detect antibodies to A. centrale and A. marginale using homologous and heterologous antigens. The assay was compared with the indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test, and although a similar degree of sensitivity was obtained, the ELISA test had several advantages. Partially purified Anaplasma initial bodies used for antigen preparations contained negligible amounts of residual erythrocytic material, and did not interfere with the specificity of the ELISA. The antigenic similarity between A. marginale and A. centrale was further substantiated by cross-reactivity obtained with heterologous antigens in both ELISA and IFA tests, and antibodies produced during natural infection with A. marginale were indistinguishable in both tests from those produced following vaccination with A. centrale.     

Evaluation of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detecting Brucella abortus antibodies.

The specificity of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) corresponds to conventional methods for detecting brucella antibodies in bovine serum. The ELISA test detected brucella antibodies early in only 12.5% of the cattle sera tested. Also, the sensitivity of ELISA was comparable to complement-fixation and Rivanol methods, but less sensitive than the standard tube agglutination method.