Application of an indirect fluorescent antibody assay for the detection of African horse sickness virus antibodies.

The researchers applied an indirect fluorescent antibody technique for testing and measuring antibodies against African Horse Sickness Virus in horse blood serum. They found that this method offers notable advantages compared to the standard tests, being quicker, easier, less costly, and more effective.

Introduction

• The research revolves around the use of an indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) technique to detect and quantify antibodies against the African horse sickness virus (AHSV) in horse blood serum.
• The technique was directly compared with the standard complement fixation (CF) test and the virus neutralisation (VN) test using serum samples both from experimental studies and from the field.

Results

• With the IFA method, positive fluorescent antibody levels were detected as early as 7 days after the primary vaccination, and these levels persisted for at least six months.
• The IFA technique was found to be superior to the CF test, which often reflects shorter-duration antibodies and frequently produces anticomplementary results with serum from donkeys and mules.
• Comparing the sensitivity and specificity of the IFA test to the VN test, the results were that the IFA method had 98% sensitivity and 83.3% specificity.

Conclusion

• The IFA test was concluded to be a rapid, relatively easy-to-perform, and inexpensive method for detecting antibodies against AHSV.
• The researchers recommended it as an alternative assay for screening different equine species, thus providing a useful tool for controlling and monitoring AHSV.