Detection of eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus antigen in equine brain tissue by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Abstract: Sensitivity and specificity of an antigen-capture ELISA vs virus isolation in cell culture were evaluated for the detection of eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE) virus in the brain tissue of naturally infected equids. Brain specimens from 16 equids with neurologic disease were examined by ELISA and by inoculation onto baby hamster kidney cell cultures. Of 10 brain samples from which virus was isolated in the cell culture bioassay, all were correctly identified as containing EEE virus antigen by ELISA. None of the remaining 6 specimens, without detectable infectious EEE virus, contained detectable antigen. Sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA were 100% with no false-positive or false-negative results. The antigen-capture ELISA was a rapid, sensitive, specific, and simple alternative to a traditional bioassay for the detection of EEE virus.
Publication Date: 1988-10-01 PubMed ID: 2847605
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- Non-P.H.S.
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- P.H.S.
- Antigen
- Brain
- Cell Culture
- Comparative Study
- Diagnosis
- Diagnostic Technique
- Disease Diagnosis
- Encephalomyelitis
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
- Equids
- Equine Diseases
- Equine Health
- Immunology
- Infection
- Infectious Disease
- Laboratory Methods
- Pathology
- Sensitivity and Specificity
- Veterinary Medicine
- Virology
- Virus
Summary
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The researchers investigated the effectiveness of an antigen-capture ELISA as a method for detecting eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE) virus in horse brain tissue, compared to traditional virus isolation techniques in cell culture. The results showed that ELISA had 100% sensitivity and specificity with no errors, suggesting it could be a quick, accurate, and easy alternative for detecting EEE virus.
Understanding the Research
- The scientists conducted this study to assess the performance of an antigen-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) against the conventional cell culture-based virus isolation approach for detecting the eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE) virus, a potentially deadly disease affecting horses and humans.
- Their objective was to discover a faster, easier, and more reliable method to diagnose this disease, which can help in the early detection and treatment, potentially saving lives.
Methodology
- The researchers used brain samples from 16 horses with neurological disease. These samples were subjected to both the antigen-capture ELISA and the traditional cell bioassay.
- The cell culture involved inoculation onto baby hamster kidney cell cultures, followed by observation for viral growth.
- The ELISA method captures and quantifies the presence of a specific viral antigen (substance that triggers an immune response) in the sample.
Findings
- All 10 brain samples which showed EEE virus via the cell culture method were also correctly identified by the ELISA technique.
- For the remaining 6 samples which did not indicate the presence of the virus through cell culture, no detectable antigen was found in the ELISA test.
- This means there were no false positives or false negatives in the ELISA test results, yielding a 100% sensitivity and specificity, which is highly desirable in diagnostic tests.
Conclusion
- Based on these results, it can be concluded that the antigen-capture ELISA can serve as an efficient, quick, and accurate alternative to the traditional cell culture method for detecting the EEE virus in brain tissue.
- This could potentially revolutionize diagnostic practices, enabling rapid detection and treatment of EEE virus in both equine and possibly human samples.
Cite This Article
APA
Scott TW, Olson JG, All BP, Gibbs EP.
(1988).
Detection of eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus antigen in equine brain tissue by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Am J Vet Res, 49(10), 1716-1718.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park 20742.
MeSH Terms
- Alphavirus / immunology
- Animals
- Antigens, Viral / analysis
- Brain / microbiology
- Cell Line
- Encephalitis Virus, Eastern Equine / immunology
- Encephalitis Virus, Eastern Equine / isolation & purification
- Encephalomyelitis, Equine / diagnosis
- Encephalomyelitis, Equine / veterinary
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horses
- Sensitivity and Specificity
Grant Funding
- AI20675 / NIAID NIH HHS
- AI22119 / NIAID NIH HHS
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Calisher CH. Medically important arboviruses of the United States and Canada. Clin Microbiol Rev 1994 Jan;7(1):89-116.
- Olson JG, Scott TW, Lorenz LH, Hubbard JL. Enzyme immunoassay for detection of antibodies against eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus in sentinel chickens. J Clin Microbiol 1991 Jul;29(7):1457-61.
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