Counter immunoelectroosmophoresis in the diagnosis of infectious bursal disease of poultry.

Infectious bursal disease virus antigen was detected in the bursa of Fabricius of infected birds by the use of the counter immunoelectroosmophoresis technique. Eight suspected outbreaks were confirmed in this way and 82 out of 89 bursal samples submitted for laboratory confirmation were positive. The test was also suitable for the detection of antibody to infectious bursal disease virus in sera of infected birds. Precipitin lines were visible within 30 min as compared with 18 to 24 h with the Ouchterlony agar gel precipitation test. Counter immunoelectroosmophoresis is recommended for rapid confirmation of infectious bursal disease of poultry.