Rapid diagnosis of Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis by fluorescence microscopy.

The research article is about a rapid diagnostic technique for Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis using fluorescence microscopy, with a goat Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis antiserum proving very accurate and sensitive in detecting the virus.

Methodology

• The scientists in this study conjugated and assessed a serum from an infected goat for Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis (VEE), as well as a normal serum. The assessment was focused on the sensitivity and specificity of staining (a method to highlight the virus).
• They made sure to test if there was any cross-staining with either eastern or western equine encephalomyelitis virus-infected cells, but confirmed it did not take place.
• A specific type of cell line derived from baby hamster kidney, known as BHK-21, was combined with the highly specific VEE conjugate. This combination was able to detect large quantities of the subtype 1B of the VEE virus in equine tissue suspension. Specifically, it detected 100 medium suckling mouse intracerebral lethal doses (suckling mouse LD-50/IC) per milliliter of equine tissue suspension.

Results

• The conjugated goat antiserum was tested for its sensitivity to detect VEE virus in infected equine serums and tissue suspensions.
• The BHK-21 cell line was found to be superior in propagating the GJ9-1BJ subtype of the VEE virus compared to the primary duck embryo fibroblast cells or the African green monkey kidney cells. This means that the BHK-21 cell line was more effective in not only supporting the growth but also spreading the particular subtype of the virus.

Conclusion

• This research has demonstrated a rapid diagnostic method for Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis by using fluorescence microscopy.
• By using an antiserum derived from an infected goat, the VEE virus can easily and accurately be detected which has significant implications for the fast diagnosis and treatment of this disease.
• Further, the study establishes the BHK-21 cell line as a superior method for the propagation of the GJ9-1BJ subtype of the VEE virus, thus providing a more efficient way for researchers to study and understand this particular subtype of the virus.