title: Estimation of the sensitivity and specificity of the agar gel immunodiffusion test for bovine leukemia virus: 1,296 cases (1982-1989).
abstract: A retrospective study of the results of 12,549 agar gel immunodiffusion tests for bovine leukemia virus, conducted on 1,296 dairy bulls over an 8-year period, was performed to estimate the sensitivity and specificity of the test. The number of tests performed on each bull ranged from 5 to 35, with a mean of 9.7 tests per bull. Bulls were categorized by their agar gel immunodiffusion test responses; 1,069 (82.5%) were noninfected and 227 (17.5%) were infected. Eighteen false-positive results were reported from the noninfected bulls. Test specificity was estimated to be 99.8%. Thirty-one false-negative results were reported from the infected bulls. Test sensitivity was estimated to be 98.5%. Fifty-six bulls had 1 or more positive responses when less than 6 months old. In 26 (46%), these results were thought to be attributable to colostral immunity.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Department, Select Sires Inc, Plain City, OH 43064-0143.
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Monke
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Rohde
authors.forename: W D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Hueston
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Milburn
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D001947:Breeding; D002417:Cattle; D016583:Enzootic Bovine Leukosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005779:Immunodiffusion; D001909:Leukemia Virus, Bovine / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral