A new approach for the diagnosis of hog cholera

Pestiviruses were isolated from seven cases of suspect hog cholera. Using peroxidase conjugates of monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) six isolates were identified as hog cholera viruses (HCV), while one isolate was of ruminant origin, possibly bovine viral diarrhea virus. In parallel attempts were made to develop an ELISA for the detection of HCV-specific antibodies in pig sera. The Mab HCTC26 coated to polystyrol plates efficiently captured the major viral glycoprotein gp53 from crude antigen suspensions prepared from infected cells. The immobilized gp53 served as diagnostic antigen. Five pigs experimentally infected with the HCV strain Glentorf were sequentially bled and the development of antibodies was monitored by neutralization tests and the ELISA. Results showed that both tests detected antibodies simultaneously after infection. Titres measured by ELISA were slightly higher than those registered by neutralization.