Enzyme immunoassay studies on the serological response of turkeys to hemorrhagic enteritis virus.

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for the detection of antibodies in turkey serum to hemorrhagic enteritis virus. The ELISA antigen was extracted from turkey spleens and partially purified with fluorocarbon. Antibodies were demonstrated in serum samples of breeding and meat flocks that had been naturally exposed to infection. These samples were also examined in parallel by agar-gel precipitin (AGP); most of the sera were AGP-positive. ELISA, however, was more sensitive in detecting antibodies in day-old sera that were AGP-negative. The passively acquired antibodies were no longer detected by 4 weeks of age. A brisk but short-lived secondary response was detected by ELISA in the sera of turkeys immunized with beta-propiolactone-inactivated extract of infected spleens.