title: Detection of IgE antibodies to bovine respiratory syncytial virus.
abstract: The role of IgE antibodies against respiratory syncytial virus has attracted attention for both human and bovine disease. To detect such antibodies, we have developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) specific for bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV). Firstly, antiserum strongly positive for BRSV-specific IgE was produced by immunizing a levamisole-treated calf with BRSV. The presence and specificity of BRSV-specific IgE in this animal was confirmed with the Praunitz-Kustner (PK) technique. Potential interference in an ELISA by other BRSV-specific immunoglobulin isotypes was eliminated by preferential precipitation of serum samples with 27.5% saturated ammonium sulfate. The correlation between the PK and the assay was greater than 93% and the ELISA was found to be more specific than the PK. Indeed, in a pilot experimental infection study, the serum levels of BRSV-specific IgE were found to correlate with the symptom expression following repetitive live virus aerosolization. This may prove to be a useful rapid test to study both herd immunity and the potential pathogenic influence of IgE.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Investigation, Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, Aurora, CO 80045.
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Gershwin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D007106:Immune Sera / Q000276:immunology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012136:Respiratory Syncytial Viruses / Q000276:immunology*; D010253:Respirovirus Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007106:Immune Sera; D007073:Immunoglobulin E