Detection of Rift Valley Fever Virus by the Fluorescent Antibody Technique in Organs of Experimentally Infected Animals

Abstract

SUMMARY Pantropic and neurotropic Rift Valley fever (RVF) virus antigens were detected by the indirect fluorescent antibody technique (FAT) in organs of experimentally infected mice and sheep. Anti-sheep, anti-rabbit and anti-human globulin conjugates were used. With organs from mice, all 3 preparations gave satisfactory results; with sheep organs only the anti-rabbit preparation was devoid of non-specific staining activity. No noticeable decrease in the intensity of fluorescence was observed with organs stored for 13 days at 4°C. in a glycerol buffered solution.