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Improvements in ELISA Test for Detecting Antibodies Against Avian Pneumovirus

Avian - 2003

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The Problem

Rapid and accurate serological tests are absolutely necessary to determine the prevalence of infectious diseases in animals. Together with vaccination history, such tests can be an excellent management tool for determining the effectiveness of prevailing control measures at the farm.

University of Minnesota researchers have developed polymerase chain reaction tests for the detection of the virus and an ELISA test for the detection of anti-APV antibodies. However, the procedures used in these tests have led to questions as to their reliability and additional work is needed to verify that suspect samples and inter-laboratory variability have not compromised the validity of the tests as a diagnostic and surveillance tool.

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Background

A summary of Avian Respiratory Disease Research Progress (1998-2001) is available. See also the project topic page for 2002.

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Objectives

This project’s goal is to improve the current "whole antigen" ELISA test for the sensitive and specific detection of antibodies against avian pneumovirus.

This project will:

• compare the currently used Colorado antigen with newer strains of APV to determine their comparative sensitivity and specificity.
• compare the sensitivity and specificity of three different antigens in detecting APV antibodies.
• institute quality assurance measures in an improved ELISA test by ensuring that the project research laboratory, the Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, and the Minnesota Poultry Testing Laboratory all use the same positive and negative controls.
• modify the Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory’s current APV computer program so that results can be better reported.

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