A modified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of avian pneumovirus antibodies

Avian pneumovirus (APV) infection of turkeys in Minnesota was first confirm ed in March 1997. Serum samples (n = 5,194) from 539 submissions to Minneso ta Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory were tested by a modified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Of these, 2,528 (48.7%) samples from 269 subm issions were positive and 2,666 (51.3%) samples from 270 submissions were n egative for APV antibodies. Most positive samples were from Kandiyohi, Stea ms, Morrison, and Meeker counties in Minnesota. In addition, 10 samples fro m South Dakota were positive. The sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA test with anti-chicken and anti-turkey conjugates were compared by testing held and experimental sera. The ELISA test with anti-turkey conjugate was m ore sensitive than that with anti-chicken conjugate. The ELISA tests with a ntigens prepared with APV strains isolated from Colorado and Minnesota were also compared. No difference was detectable. Currently, the Minnesota Vete rinary Diagnostic Laboratory uses an antigen prepared from the Colorado iso late of APV and a goat anti-turkey conjugate in the ELISA test.