Rapid diagnosis of equine influenza.
During an epizootic of equine influenza in Norway caused by influenza A/equine (H3N8) virus the efficacy of rapid virus diagnosis by the indirect immunofluorescence technique was evaluated. The antiserum used in the test was a polyclonal influenza A virus antiserum with reactivity directed mainly against the common nucleoprotein and matrix protein. This antiserum possessed sufficient reactivity for the detection of virus-infected exfoliated nasopharyngeal cells. Nasopharyngeal smear samples from 92 horses were examined and a positive diagnosis was obtained for 57 (62 per cent). Paired serum samples were collected from 62 horses and, compared with the haemagglutination inhibition test, the rapid virus diagnosis test had a specificity and sensitivity of 95 per cent and 80 per cent, respectively.
Anestad
G
G
Department of Virology, National Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
Maagaard
O
O
D000818:Animals; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique / Q000662:veterinary; D006385:Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006736:Horses; D007159:Immunologic Tests; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000276:immunology; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D009976:Orthomyxoviridae Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests
D000956:Antigens, Viral