Detection of viral antigens in bluetongue virus-infected ovine tissues, using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique.

An indirect immunoperoxidase procedure was developed to detect viral antigens in bluetongue virus (BTV)-infected tissues. Embryonating chicken eggs were infected with BTV serotypes 10, 11, 13, or 17, and the chorioallantoic membranes were subsequently fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin. The peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) system was used to examine the infected membranes for the presence of viral antigens. Sheep antisera raised against BTV serotypes 10, 11, 13, and 17 served as the primary antibodies in the PAP procedure. Specific staining was observed when each of these antisera was applied to membranes expressing antigens of homologous and heterologous BTV serotypes. The PAP method was rapid, reliable, and specific in its detection of BTV.