Evaluation of different serological tests for the diagnosis of goat pox using soluble antigens.

A reverse-phase passive haemagglutination (RPHA) test was developed and standardised after coupling glutaraldehyde- and tannic acid-treated sheep erythrocytes with the soluble goat pox virus (GPV) antigens for the detection of GPV antibody in goat sera. The RPHA test was as sensitive as the latex agglutination (LA) test, and more sensitive than precipitation tests viz. agar gel precipitation and counter immunoelectrophoresis. Nevertheless, the LA test was practically the most useful.