An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for measuring antibodies in chickens infected with infectious bursal disease virus.

An immuno-enzyme assay for measuring infectious bursal disease antibodies in chickens is described. The test is performed rapidly after coating plates overnight with partially purified antigen prepared in cell culture. Coated plates can be stored for at last 4 months. The chromatographically purified rabbit anti-chicken immunoglobulin-G, conjugated to horseradish peroxidase, was used optimally at a dilution of 1:3,000. It could be stored for at least 10 months without a reduction in titer. The test is safe, highly reproducible, specific, and sensitive. Results can be read visually or by spectrophotometry. Antibodies could be detected as early as 4 days postinfection. Serum titers rose rapidly to high levels, ranging from 1:1,600 to 1:25,600 by one week postinfection. High titers persisted for up to one year. The results of this assay compare favorably with results obtained with the agar-gel precipitin and virus-neutralization tests.