The development and standardization of an antigen detection ELISA for rubella virus grown in rabbit cells

A double antibody sandwich ELISA for the detection of rubella virus antigen was developed and standardized. Commercially available antisera were chosen in order to make the assay readily available. Antigen detection gave an excellent correlation to titers obtained by examination of cytopathogenic effect (CPE, r = 0.986). Replication of rubella virus grown in rabbit cells was identified with CPE and positive ELISA appearing within a difference of +/- one day. ELISA provided an objective detection of rubella virus which is often difficult by the reading of CPE. The method was found to be both sensitive and reproducible and facilitated work in rubella virus control involving a large number of virus titrations.