A novel antigen capture ELISA for the specific detection of IgG antibodies to elephant endotheliotropic herpes virus.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Elephants are classified as critically endangered animals by the International Union for Conservation of Species (IUCN). Elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) poses a large threat to breeding programs of captive Asian elephants by causing fatal haemorrhagic disease. EEHV infection is detected by PCR in samples from both clinically ill and asymptomatic elephants with an active infection, whereas latent carriers can be distinguished exclusively via serological assays. To date, identification of latent carriers has been challenging, since there are no serological assays capable of detecting seropositive elephants.

Results

Here we describe a novel ELISA that specifically detects EEHV antibodies circulating in Asian elephant plasma/serum. Approximately 80 % of P

SUBMITTER: van den Doel PB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4535388 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature