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Published on: August 2, 2011
Rapid detection of West Nile Virus in birds using the VecTest WNV Antigen Assay
1University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA. gayhenson@bellsouth.net
Objective:
To determine if the VecTest West Nile Virus Antigen Assay (for testing mosquitoes) could be adapted to detect West Nile virus (WNV) rapidly and accurately in birds for screening purposes.
Design:
Cloacal swabs and tissue (kidney and spleen) were harvested from 40 fresh dead birds. The VecTest was used for each swab specimen for detection of WNV; PCR was used for each tissue specimen for confirmation of WNV.
Setting:
Mississippi Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (MVDL) in Jackson Mississippi and College of Veterinary Medicine-Mississippi State University (CVM-MSU) in Starkville Mississippi. SPECIMENS/SUBJECTS: Forty birds of the Corvid family (31 blue jays and 9 American crows) were included in the study. Fresh dead birds that died from no obvious cause were submitted for testing.
Results:
VecTest results were 35 positives and 5 negatives. PCR results were 35 positives and 5 negatives.
Conclusion:
The VecTest showed 100% accuracy.
