A solid-phase fluorescent immunoassay for detecting canine or mink enteritis parvoviruses in faecal samples.

Mink enteritis virus (MEV) and canine parvovirus (CPV) were detected in faecal samples from experimentally or naturally infected minks and dogs, respectively, using antibody-coated polyacrylamide beads (immunobeads, IB) as the solid phase for immunofluorescence (IF) tests. The specificity and sensitivity of the immunobead assay (IBA) were studied by comparing it with an enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA), a haemagglutination (HA) test and an IF test using tissue cultures. The IBA was as sensitive as ELISA, but more sensitive than the HA test and the IF test. Furthermore, the use of IB as the matrix for the immunological reactions allows FITC- or enzyme-conjugated antibodies to be used as indicators of the reactions and a simultaneous investigation of several pathogenic agents.