An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of antibodies to maedi-visna virus in sheep. I. A simple technique for production of antigen using sodium dodecyl sulfate treatment.

We report the efficacy of an anionic detergent, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) for preparing maedi-visna antigens for an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (i-ELISA). Ovine maedi-visna virus (MVV) pelleted by differential centrifugation followed by liquid chromatography was treated with SDS or one of three lipid solvents: ethyl ether, chloroform or fluorocarbon. The SDS-treated antigen resulted in higher optical density values with positive serum and better discrimination between positive and negative serum samples from specific-pathogen-free (SPF) sheep experimentally inoculated with the virus. Optimal results were obtained when MVV was treated with concentrations of 0.25% and 0.125% of SDS. A viral antigen prepared by centrifugation and treatment of a viral pellet with SDS was also suitable for the i-ELISA. This latter technique may facilitate the production of MVV antigens for use in the i-ELISA.