Rapid detection of antibodies to infectious bovine rhinotracheitis by 'macro' and 'micro' ELISA.

Two kinds of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were evaluated in their ability to detect specific antibodies against Bovine Rhinotracheitis Virus (IBR-IPV). The tests were called MACROELISA and MICROELISA, according to the kind of the solid support used for antigen insolubilization, polystyrene beads and microtitration plates respectively. Partially purified virus was used to coat both beads and plates; a single dilution of examples was tested and protein A linked to peroxidase was employed as enzyme tracer. Quantitative instrumental results from MACROELISA and qualitative visual results from MICROELISA were compared with serum neutralization titers. The results clearly show that ELISA tests are suitable for IBR serologic detection, being sensitive, specific and accurate over serum neutralization method.