Abstract
A modified direct complement-fixation (CF) test is described which will detect antibodies in chicken serum associated with Marek's disease herpesvirus (MDHV) infection. The test is modified in that normal chicken serum (NCS) is incorporated into guinea pig complement (C') in an optimal quantity, as determined by titration, to obtain a maximal antiserum or antigen titer. Suitable CF and agar gel precipitin (AGP) antigens were prepared from saline infusion preparations of feather tips from chickens infected with MDHV. Specific and stable antigens in sufficient quantities were obtained by this method over a period of 3 to 18 weeks. Comparative CF and AGP tests on sera from chickens infected with MDHV, contact chickens, and naturally exposed chickens revealed that AGP antibodies were detectable earlier than CF antibodies. The correlation between the 2 tests improved with time after MDHV exposure. The results suggest that the type of antibodies detected by the 2 tests differ qualitatively. Both tests appeared to be specific for detecting MD infection.
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