A RAPID INDIRECT ELISA FOR THE SEROGROUPING OF AUSTRALIAN ORBIVIRUSES

This communication describes the development and evaluation of a simpl e and rapid method for the classification of Australian orbiviruses in to one of seven established serogroups (i.e. bluetongue, epizootic hae morrhagic disease of deer, Palyam, Eubenangee, Corriparta, Wallal, War rego) or an 'ungrouped' category. The Australian orbivirus serogroupin g ELISA (SG-ELISA) utilised a sodium deoxycholate-treated cell lysate preparation from infected BHK cells which was subsequently probed in a n indirect ELISA format with polyclonal antibodies representative of e ach serogroup. Bound immunoglobulin was detected by the use of a recom binant streptococcal protein G-HRPO conjugate and subsequent reaction with the chromogenic substrate. All reference orbiviruses tested in th e SG-ELISA were identified and were in agreement with the serogroups o riginally designated. Minimal inter-serogroup cross-reactions were obs erved. One-way cross-reactions were observed between Warrego and Mitch ell River viruses.