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Updated: Mar 15, 2026
Characterization of Thymus-dependent and Thymus-independent Immunoglobulin Isotype Responses in Mice Using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay
Published on: September 7, 2018
Detection of antibodies to mouse thymic virus by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
G Lussier1, D Guénette, W R Shek
1Centre de Recherche en Virologie, Institut Armand-Frappier, Laval-des-Rapides, Laval, Québec.
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect serum antibodies to mouse thymic virus, a herpesvirus that causes thymic lesions and immunosuppression. Antibodies were detected in mice that had received single or multiple injections of the virus and were also found in mice housed in contact with the experimentally infected animals. By contrast, mice not exposed to mouse thymic virus or those inoculated with an uninfected thymus preparation remained seronegative. A serological survey of eight mouse colonies revealed one positive colony, confirmed by virus isolation. These results show that the test is sufficiently sensitive and specific to be used for routine screening of mice.
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect serum antibodies to mouse thymic virus, a herpesvirus that causes thymic lesions and immunosuppression. Antibodies were detected in mice that had received single or multiple injections of the virus and were also found in mice housed in contact with the experimentally infected animals. By contrast, mice not exposed to mouse thymic virus or those inoculated with an uninfected thymus preparation remained seronegative. A serological survey of eight mouse colonies revealed one positive colony, confirmed by virus isolation. These results show that the test is sufficiently sensitive and specific to be used for routine screening of mice.
