Evaluation of different serological tests for the detection of antibodies against highly pathogenic avian influenza in experimentally infected ostriches (Struthio camelus)
2010
Toffan, Anna | Olivier, Adriaan | Mancin, Marzia | Tuttoilmondo, Valentina | Facco, Daniele | Capua, Ilaria | Terregino, Calogero
In the present study we collected 177 serum samples from ostriches (Struthio camelus) infected experimentally with A/ostrich/South Africa/Middleton/2004 (H5N2) highly pathogenic avian influenza virus. We tested these samples using the haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test, the agar gel immunodiffusion test and three enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. We considered the HI test, with homologous antigen and including pre-treatment of sera with 10% chicken red blood cells, as the gold standard. Detectable specific antibodies appeared on day 7 post-infection and persisted until the termination of the experiment. The relative sensitivity and specificity of the tests under evaluation and Cohen's K value were calculated. The results reported herein could be of assistance to decision-makers in drafting guidelines for the definition of the health status of ostriches and for trade purposes.
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