An immunoperoxidase monoclonal antibody stain for rapid diagnosis of infectious bursal disease

Cell smears of chicken-embryo-fibroblast (CEF) cultures and bursa of Fabricius from chickens experimentally infected with six different strains of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) were examined for the presence of IBDV by the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method of immunoperoxidase (IP) staining using a monoclonal antibody specific for IBDV designated BK70. IBDV of different strains and serotypes were readily detected by the IP method in cell smears prepared from infected CEF cultures and from bursas. Bursal cells were positive for IP stain in most of the infected bursas (87.5%), despite their mild IBD lesions. Positive IP staining of bursal smears was well correlated with the recovery of IBDV from the bursas and with IBD lesions in the bursas. IP stain with a monoclonal antibody (BK70) appeared potentially useful for rapid and definitive diagnosis of IBD.