An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of canine antibodies to canine adenoviruses.

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect canine immunoglobulin G antibodies specific for infectious canine hepatitis virus and the serologically related canine adenovirus Type 2. The sequential development of homologous and heterologous antibodies was measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and serum neutralization tests in two groups of dogs which were experimentally infected with either infectious canine hepatitis virus or canine adenovirus Type 2. Both tests were comparable in their abilities to detect the development of homologous and heterologous antibodies. Homologous antibodies were detected earlier and to a higher titer in both tests. There was a 98% agreement between the serum neutralization test and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay when sera from 224 random-source dogs were examined for infectious canine hepatitis virus antibodies. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was found to be a highly efficient and rapid test to determine the immune status of dogs to infectious canine hepatitis virus and canine adenovirus Type 2.