DETECTION OF ANTIBODIES AGAINST IRIDOVIRUSES IN THE SERUM OF THE AMPHIBIAN BUFO-MARINUS

Sera from the amphibian Bufo marinus (cane or marine toad) were invest igated using a newly-developed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for t he detection of antibodies to ranaviruses (Family Iridoviridae). Epizo otic haematopoietic necrosis virus (EHNV) or Bohle iridovirus (BTV) wa s affinity purified from cell culture supernatants and simultaneously bound to the solid phase using specific linker antibodies. After bindi ng to antigen, antibodies in Bufo marinus serum were then detected wit h a specific anti-immunoglobulin reagent. Of 21 Bufo marinus sera, 3 c ontained antibodies against EHNV, BIV or related viruses in the ranavi rus group, at titres greater than 3200. Reactivity of cane toad antibo dies against BIV, an amphibian virus, was greater than that against si milar concentrations of EHNV, a piscine virus. (C) 1997 Elsevier Scien ce B.V.