The use of monoclonal antibody probes for the detection of avian reovirus antigens

Two monoclonal antibodies (MAb), E9 and H3, prepared against avian reovirus (ARTP) S1133, were used in an immune-dot assay to detect ARV antigens from cell culture and from tendon tissue samples of chickens. The limit of viral antigens detected was 8 ng using both MAb probes. The probes detected 10 ARV isolates representing at least two serotypes or pathotypes. The results indicated that these probes had broad specificity. The probes, however, did not cross-react with viral antigens prepared from six unrelated avian viruses. The ARV antigens in tendon tissue samples were detected by both probes, and it is possible, therefore, to use either of the two MAb probes for detection of ARV infections. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.