Gay Henson1, Paul Hicock. 1. University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA. gayhenson@bellsouth.net
Abstract
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. DESIGN: 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. SETTING: 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. CONCLUSION: The VecTest showed 100% accuracy.
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. DESIGN: 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. SETTING: 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. CONCLUSION: The VecTest showed 100% accuracy.
Authors: Ward B Stone; Joseph E Therrien; Robert Benson; Laura Kramer; Elizabeth B Kauffman; Millicent Eldson; Scott Campbell Journal: Emerg Infect Dis Date: 2005-11 Impact factor: 6.883