Comparison of a microneutralization test in cell culture and virus neutralization test in embryonated eggs for determining infectious bronchitis virus antibodies.

A microneutralization test (MNT) system utilizing cytopathic effect end points was effective in determing neutralization indexes for infectious bronchitis virus antibodies. The system is reproducible within 1 index unit at the 95% level of probability. Comparison of the MNT to tests in eggs resulted in a positive correlation (B =0.81), which was significant (P greater than 0.01). The quantitative dose-response relationship of the MNT is linear (P greater than 0.005), with the 95% prediction limits fitting between one 10-fold dilution.