Quantitation of canine distemper virus and antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays using protein A and monoclonal antibody capture.

Monoclonal antibodies produced from 19 cloned hybridomas were selected for this study. Specific canine distemper virus (CDV) antibodies in medium from cloned hybridomas were detected by direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and by indirect immunofluorescence. Three different sandwich ELISA systems were developed either to detect CDV in cell cultures and clinical specimens or to detect specific antibody in canine sera. Protein A and monoclonal antibodies attached in sequence to a solid phase constituted the capture system in the assays. Viral antigens were detected by sandwiching extracts of clinical specimens (or infected cell cultures), monoclonal antibody, and peroxidase-labeled protein A in sequence onto the capture layer. In 1 procedure, biotin-labeled antibody and peroxidase-labeled avidin were used as the last 2 layers in the assay. The CDV antibodies in dog sera were quantitated in a similar manner, but the sequential sandwiching levels consisted of partially purified CDV, serum specimen, and peroxidase-labeled protein A, respectively. The procedures were specific and highly sensitive.