Isolation and identification of bluetongue virus

Bluetongue virus (BTV) is an arthropod-borne orbivirus that infects sheep, wild ruminants and occasionally cattle. Detection and specific identificati on of BTV is a multistep process. The first step involves the isolation of the virus from the animal's blood or other tissues, followed by inoculation of embryonating chicken eggs (ECE). After the virus has been amplified in ECE, it is passaged into BHK-21 cell culture for subsequent replication and identification. The virus is then amplified further and identified in micr otiter plates by the immunoperoxidase assay using a group specific monoclon al antibody. Finally, the viral isolate is typed by a virus neutralization test. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.