COMPETITIVE ELISA FOR THE DETECTION OF ANTIBODIES AGAINST EPIZOOTIC HEMORRHAGIC-DISEASE OF DEER VIRUS

A competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is described for the d etection of antibodies against epizootic haemorrhagic disease of deer viruses (EHDV). Test antisera were tested against a guinea-pig antiser um raised against EHDV core particles. The assay detected antibodies t o all serotypes of EHDV, but unlike the agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID ) test, gave no cross-reactions with antibodies against bluetongue, Pa lyam and Tilligery viruses. The C-ELISA would be ideal for use in epid emiological surveys since it is suitable for the examination of antise ra from all susceptible species without the need for individual specie s-specific enzyme conjugates.