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Comparative study of three methods for detecting avian leukosis viruses
Infection and Immunity
|May 1, 1977
Summary
Detecting avian leukosis viruses (ALVs) in chicken cells is feasible within 9 days. While radioimmunoassays (RIA) offer higher sensitivity for p27 antigen, complement fixation (CF) tests are adequate for detecting ALV infection in concentrated cell extracts.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Avian leukosis viruses (ALVs) are significant pathogens in poultry.
- Accurate and sensitive detection methods are crucial for controlling ALV spread.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the detection limits of different assays for avian leukosis viruses.
- To evaluate the sensitivity of complement fixation (CF) and radioimmunoassays (RIA) for detecting ALV infection in chicken fibroblasts.
Main Methods:
- Infection of chicken fibroblasts with Rous-associated virus type 1 (RAV-1).
- Assays performed: microtiter complement-fixation (CF) tests for group-specific (gs) antigens, radioimmunoassays (RIA) for p27 antigen, and reverse transcriptase activity assays.
- Sampling at 5, 9, 14, and 19 days postinfection.
Main Results:
- Virus proteins were detected within 9 days postinfection across all methods.
- p27 RIA demonstrated higher sensitivity than CF or reverse transcriptase assays, though only twofold to fivefold greater with concentrated viral suspensions.
- The lowest detectable titer was 6 x 10^3 infectious units by RIA.
Conclusions:
- Minimally infected cells express viral proteins by 9 days postinfection.
- While RIA is more sensitive for p27, CF is sufficient for detecting ALV infection when using concentrated cell extracts and appropriate antiserum.