Detection of antibodies to bovine leukemia virus in bovine milk samples with an ELISA involving two monoclonal antibodies.

An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect antibody to bovine leukemia virus (BLV). In the assay the gp51 antigen was selectively adsorbed to the solid phase using a monoclonal capture antibody. Specific antibodies in milk or serum samples were revealed by the addition of a monoclonal antibovine IgG 1 conjugated to peroxidase. All milk samples from animals found positive by serum testing were shown to be positive. BLV-positive milk samples were detected when added to pools of negative samples.