Development of a Blocking ELISA for the Serological Diagnosis of Getah Virus

Getah virus (GETV) is an emerging arbovirus that poses a growing threat to the swine industry because of its ability to infect pigs and other animals. However, the lack of an effective porcine GETV vaccine and commercially available diagnostic tools has hindered control efforts. In the study, we expressed the recombinant GETV E2 protein in a mammalian cell system to preserve its native conformation and antigenicity and generated monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) by immunizing mice with this protein. Using the GETV E2 protein and horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-labeled mAbs, we successfully established a rapid and specific blocking ELISA for the serological detection of GETV. The assay was comprehensively evaluated for specificity, reproducibility, and consistency with the reference immunofluorescence assay (IFA), demonstrating reliable diagnostic performance. In a clinical evaluation involving 462 samples, the assay showed a positive rate of 12.121%, confirming its practical applicability. This novel blocking ELISA provides a valuable tool for vaccine development and epidemiological investigations, contributing to more effective strategies for GETV control.