Detection of Marek's disease virus antigen in chickens by a novel immunoassay.
An immunoassay was developed to detect Marek's disease virus (MDV) antigen on the tips of feathers obtained from MDV-infected chickens. MDV in follicular debris on the feather tip was demonstrated by use of a specific monoclonal antibody. The principle of an indirect ELISA was employed and the feather tip was used as the solid phase. Presence of MDV was reflected by a dark brown precipitate on the feather tip which could be observed by naked eye. This test system proved to be more sensitive than the agar-gel precipitation (AGP) test as all feather tips of MDV-infected animals gave a positive reaction in the feather tip-ELISA whereas about a half yielded a detectable precipitate in the AGP. Advantages of this feather tip-ELISA and applications are discussed.
Scholten
R
R
Duphar BV, Animal Health Division, Weesp, The Netherlands.
Hilgers
L A
LA
Jeurissen
S H
SH
Weststrate
M W
MW
D000362:Agar; D000818:Animals; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011232:Chemical Precipitation; D002645:Chickens; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005241:Feathers / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D008381:Herpesvirus 2, Gallid / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008380:Marek Disease / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D014773:Virology / Q000379:methods
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D000362:Agar