Observations on an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of antibodies against avian leukosis-sarcoma viruses.

In the detection of antibodies against exogenous subgroup A avian leukosis viruses (ALVs) using a representative subgroup A virus, concordance between enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and serum neutralizations ranged from 83 to 95%. In ELISAs, subgroup A- and subgroup B-specific neutralizing antisera were equally reactive against ALVs of subgroups A, B, and E. Conversely, little cross-reactivity of high-titered subgroup E antisera was observed against subgroup A viruses. Significant cross-reactivities of spontaneously induced subgroup E-neutralizing antisera were observed when tested against a representative subgroup B ALV. Because some normal chickens spontaneously mount antibodies against infectious endogenous viruses, misleading results may be obtained if subgroup B or E ALVs are the source of target antigens in ELISAs.