The application of the soluble antigen fluorescent antibody test for the diagnosis of avian influenza.

The application of the soluble antigen fluorescent test as a tool for serological investigation of influenza type A infection in wild birds was studied. The soluble antigen fluorescent antibody test is basically an indirect fluorescent antibody test except that an artificial matrix of cellulose acetate discs is used as a substrate for antigen and the test results are scanned and recorded by a fluorometer. THe influenza type A soluble antigen fluorescent antibody was obtained from concentrated and detergent disrupted virus particles, absorbed onto cellulose acetate discs. Anti-influenza sera were prepared in pheasants and ducks to A/turkey/Ontario/6118/67 and in pigeons to A/turkey/Ontario/6213/68. The antigen-antibody complex was detected by specific staining with monovalent or polyvalent fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugated rabbit anti-avian immunoglobulins. The soluble antigen fluorescent antibody test is a sensitive technique for the detection of specific influenza A antibodies in several avian species, and could be adapted for use in large scale surveys.