Quantitative microcomplement fixation tests using chicken anti-viral antibody extracted from egg yolk.

Yolk immunoglobulins obtained from hens immunized with human rotavirus and two plant virus antigens were used in quantitative microcomplement fixation tests. Difficulties inherent in the use of avian complement were overcome by utilizing a mixture of the C1 component of chicken complement and guinea-pig complement devoid of its own C1. The method is suitable for detecting small quantities of viral antigen and antibody and for detecting antigenic activity present on peptide fragments of viral proteins.