An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detecting avian leukosis-sarcoma viruses

• Published in: Avian diseases Vol. 23; no. 3; p. 698
• Main Authors: Smith, E.J, Fadly, A, Okazaki, W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.07.1979
• Subjects: Alpharetrovirus - immunology; Animals; Antibodies, Viral - analysis; Avian Leukosis - diagnosis; Chickens; Complement Fixation Tests; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Immunoenzyme Techniques
• ISSN: 0005-2086; 1938-4351
• DOI: 10.2307/1589746

Immunoglobulins from antiserum raised against chromatographically purified avian myeloblastosis virus (AMV) group-specific (gs) antigens were used in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Readily discernible color was produced with 2--3 ng of AMV protein in microplate wells coated with 4 micrograms of salt-precipitated immunoglobulins. When a biological assay, i.e., phenotypic mixing (PM), was the criterion for the infectious status of specimens, the ELISA consistently identified a greater percentage of virus-positive specimens than direct complement-fixation (DCF) tests. Over 95% concordance was obtained between the ELISA and PM bioassays when meconia and whole-blood samples were tested. Moreover, three DCF(-) egg albumens from one virus shedder hen were positive by the direct ELISA. Complete agreement was found between a biological assay for endogenous virus and the ELISA when blood and albumens from inbred chickens were tested. The ELISA is a rapid and convenient alternative to the DCF test for identifying infected chickens in eradication programs, because virus-rich sources such as meconia and blood that are unsuitable for DCF can be tested directly.