title: An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detecting avian leukosis-sarcoma viruses.
abstract: 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.
mesh_terms: D001355:Alpharetrovirus / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D001353:Avian Leukosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D002645:Chickens; D003168:Complement Fixation Tests; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral