Development of a Quantification Method to Specific Anti-NS3 Antibody Against Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) Using a Blocking ELISA

Abstract

There are numerous published epidemiological models in Europe concerning the control of the bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) in cattle by identifying and removing persistently infected (PI) cattle from herds. It is difficult to adapt these models in countries that routinely vaccinate cattle for BVDV. Vaccination interferes with previous models when measuring total or serum neutralizing antibodies. An alternative approach could be to measure a subpopulation such as antibody targeting nonstructural proteins that can be found only during virus replication. The objective of the study was to develop a quantitative serum antibody test for BVDV with a commercially available test (SERELISA® BVD Ab Mono Blocking, Synbiotics Corporation) that is based on a blocking ELISA which allows specific detection of anti-NS3 antibodies against the BVDV. The blocking format alone does not allow a straightforward approach for developing quantification methods because of the usual lack of linearity of these tests. Therefore, statistical applications were explored to develop a quantitative extension of the blocking format.