APPLICATION OF EQUINE INFECTIOUS-ANEMIA VIRUS CORE PROTEINS PRODUCED IN A BACULOVIRUS EXPRESSION SYSTEM TO SEROLOGICAL DIAGNOSIS

Equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) core proteins were obtained from a baculovirus expression system, Recombinant baculoviruses (rBVs) hig hly expressed the Gag precursor and p26 antigens in an rBV-infected Sf 21 cell culture supernatant. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) were conducted using the expresse d proteins to detect antibodies from experimentally infected horses, T he expressed antigens showed low background levels, high specificity a nd sensitivity in ELISA and AGID, The results of the serological tests using the expressed antigens were identical to those using a manufact ured trial antigen. rBVs containing gag and p26 genes were found to ex press high quality and large quantities of Gag and p26 antigens, respe ctively, The antigens were quite useful for detecting anti-EIAV antibo dies from virus-infected horses.