RAPID COAGGLUTINATION TEST FOR THE DETECTION AND TYPING OF FOOT-AND-MOUTH-DISEASE VIRUS

Protein A containing Staphylococcus aureus was used to develop a coagg lutination (COA) test for the detection and typing of foot and mouth d isease virus (FMDV) O, A and C serotypes in infected cells and tissues . Different batches and amounts of guinea pig anti-FMDV sera were asse ssed to optimize the preparation of COA conjugates. The sensitivity an d specificity of the COA Test for the detection of FMDV O, A and C ser otypes and heterologous viruses was also characterized. Comparison bet ween the COA Test and complement fixation test for the detection and t yping of FMDV obtained from extracts of tongue epithelial tissues from infected cattle revealed high agreement in the results and indicated a potential application of the COA Test for the direct diagnosis of vi ruses.