Serological detection of equid herpesvirus 1 infections of the respiratory tract.
An investigation was made of 3 serological tests (virus neutralization, complement fixation and indirect immunofluorescence), which are applicable to epidemiological studies of infections by Equid herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1). Sera from gnotobiotic foals inoculated intranasally with various strains of EHV-1 were unable in some cases to neutralize heterologous strains and these results were not consistent with the existence of clearly-defined subtypes of EHV-1, as previously proposed. The cross-reactions in complement-fixation tests paralleled those with neutralization but immunofluorescence tests were found to be both more sensitive and more broadly reactive than the other two. Complement-fixing antibodies declined more rapidly following experimental infection than did those measured by neutralization or immunofluorescence. The results are discussed in relation to the diagnosis of EHV-1 infection and the significance they may have for the epidemiology of this disease.
D000818:Animals; D003168:Complement Fixation Tests; D003429:Cross Reactions; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006564:Herpesviridae; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary; D004861:Herpesvirus 1, Equid / Q000276:immunology; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D006736:Horses; D009500:Neutralization Tests; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*