A SOLID-PHASE ENZYME-LINKED-IMMUNOSORBENT-ASSAY USING MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODIES, FOR THE DETECTION OF AFRICAN SWINE FEVER VIRUS-ANTIGENS AND ANTIBODIES

An improved solid-phase enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) usin g monoclonal antibodies was developed to detect an African swine fever virus protein (VP73) in pig samples. The use of monoclonal antibodies against VP73 allowed a sensitive and specific sandwich ELISA. This as say detected a limiting antigen concentration of 0.05 mu g/ml of VP73, lower than the detection limit of 0.6 mu g/ml obtained by using polyc lonal antibodies by the same ELISA. The whole virus particle was detec ted with this method to a limit of 2.3 x 10(2) PFU/ml. At the same tim e, an indirect ELISA was developed to detect ASFV antibodies. The resu lts also indicate that this method may be a useful technique for epide miological surveys. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.