Vol. 41, No. 1-2, 1997 previous next

Rapid detection of bovine viral diarrhoea virus-P80/125 in blood leukocytes of viremic cattle with immunofluorescence microscopy

PISTL, J.(1), WOLF, G.(2), WOLFMEYER, A.(2), BEER, M.(2), PICHLER, J.(2), KAADEN, O. R.(2)

(1) University of Veterinary Medicine
Komenskeho 73
041 81 Kosice
Slovak Republic		 (2) Tierärztliche Fakultät der Ludwig-Maximilians Universität
Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie, Infektions- und Seuchenmedizin
Veterinärstrasse 13
D-80539 Munich, Germany

Summary

Bovine viral diarrhoea virus antigen detection with immunofluorescence (IF) microscopy in blood leukocytes was compared with flow cytometry and with virus isolation as reference methods. Indirect IF was performed with a mouse monoclonal antibody against BVDV-p125, which is pan-pestivirus reactive, and a polyclonal sheep conjugate. In the testing of 71 field samples of diseased bovines including 24 that were BVDV positive, the sensitivity of the IF-microscopy was found to be 83 % and the specifity 92%. The limitations of the IF-microscopical diagnosis are a relative small amount of antigen bearing leukocytes or a high amount of highly nonspecific fluorescing eosinophiles. The method can be recommended for a speedy confirmation of clinical mucosal disease and for the diagnoses of persistently BVDV infected animals after the disappearence of colostral antibodies.

Key words: bovine viral diarrhea virus; diagnostics; flow cytometry; immunofluorescence microscopy

References

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Folia Veterinaria / 1997