Rapid detection of West Nile Virus in birds using the VecTest WNV Antigen Assay.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if the VecTest West Nile Virus Antigen Assay (for testing mosquitoes) could be adapted to detect West Nile virus (WNV) rapidly and accurately in birds for screening purposes.


METHODS
Cloacal swabs and tissue (kidney and spleen) were harvested from 40 fresh dead birds. The VecTest was used for each swab specimen for detection of WNV; PCR was used for each tissue specimen for confirmation of WNV.


METHODS
Mississippi Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (MVDL) in Jackson Mississippi and College of Veterinary Medicine-Mississippi State University (CVM-MSU) in Starkville Mississippi. SPECIMENS/SUBJECTS: Forty birds of the Corvid family (31 blue jays and 9 American crows) were included in the study. Fresh dead birds that died from no obvious cause were submitted for testing.


RESULTS
VecTest results were 35 positives and 5 negatives. PCR results were 35 positives and 5 negatives.


CONCLUSIONS
The VecTest showed 100% accuracy.
Henson
Gay
G
University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA. gayhenson@bellsouth.net
Hicock
Paul
P
D000818:Animals; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D046368:Crows; D018177:Flavivirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D007118:Immunoassay; D011934:Reagent Strips; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014902:West Nile virus / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D011934:Reagent Strips