Analysis of the immune response to FMDV structural and non-structural proteins in cattle in Argentina by the combined use of liquid phase and 3ABC-ELISA tests.

The successful sanitary campaign implemented to control the 2000-2002 outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) in Argentina was greatly assisted by the combination of an ELISA test (3ABC-ELISA) that detects antibodies directed against FMDV viral non-structural proteins (NSPs) and a liquid phase blocking competitive ELISA (lpELISA) for the detection of antibodies against the viral structural proteins (SPs). The combined use of these two assays in large-scale analysis of field samples allowed for a clear differentiation between infected and uninfected animals, with high specificity and sensitivity, regardless of the animal's vaccination status. In order to validate the application in indirect vaccine potency assays and assessment of vaccination efficiency, a preliminary correlation between serological response and protection from challenge with O1/Campos and A/Arg/01 FMD virus strains was established with data derived from commercial vaccine series challenge trials. Determination of antibodies to NSPs in vaccinated and revaccinated animals proved helpful in the analysis of vaccine purity. A review and discussion of the epidemiological status of cattle herds and real time monitoring of FMD in Argentina using these assays before, during and after the outbreaks is presented.