A rapid rabies enzyme immuno-diagnosis (RREID): a useful and simple technique for the routine diagnosis of rabies.

A Rapid Rabies Enzyme Immuno-Diagnosis (RREID) technique has been developed. This technique for the diagnosis of rabies was performed in microplates which had been previously sensitized with IgG to purified antinucleocapsids. Suspensions of homogenized material were incubated in the plate and the specific binding of rabies antigen was revealed by the use of the same IgG conjugated with peroxidase. With the RREID technique it was possible to detect rabies antigens in brain specimens with the same specificity and sensitivity as that of the direct immunofluorescence test or the neuroblastoma cell inoculation technique regardless of the species of animal from which the specimen was derived. Moreover, RREID was performed with fox salivary gland specimens with the same results as were obtained with brain specimens. RREID does not require an UV light microscope and a photometer is not essential. It is a useful and simple technique for the routine laboratory diagnosis of rabies.