DIAGNOSTIC EFFICACY OF RINDERPEST PRECIPITINOGEN PREPARED FROM INFECTED VERO CELLS

Rinderpest precipitinogen.was prepared from detergent solubilized rind erpest-virus-infected vero cells. The antigen was highly efficacious f or routine diagnostic applications, e.g. agar-gel precipitation test a nd counter-immunoelectrophoresis,and was also suitable for single radi al haemolysis test and solid phase agglutination of coated erythrocyte s test. The titre of the antigen was proportional to multiplicity of i nfection of vero cells. The antigen, with a shelf life of more than 5 months at room temperature, was fairly stable at various physical stim uli, e.g. pH and temperature. The efficacy of this detergent solubiliz ed tissue-culture antigen was equal to lapinized crude tissue antigen in detecting rinderpest antibodies in convalescent or post-vaccination cattle sera.