A study, consisting of three trials, was undertaken in order to find standard reference sera for use in serological diagnostic procedures for infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) in the European Union (EU). A total of forty-nine laboratories participated in the trials, in which panels of positive, weak positive, and negative candidate sera were tested blind by neutralisation, indirect and bl...

BARNARD, B. J. H. & VOGES, S. F. , 1986. Flaviviruses in South Africa: Diagnostic procedures. Onderstepoon Journal ofVeterinory Research, S3, 181-185 (1986) Employing rabbit immune serum, 10 flaviviruses known to be present in South Africa could be divided into S serological subgroups. The subgroups conform to the general pattern described for the group. Sera from experimentally infected calves...

Because of the technical problems and length of time involved in the satisfactory performance of the haemagglutination-inhibition test for detection of rubella-specific antibodies, a commercially available passive haemagglutination (PHA) kit utilising rubella antigen-sensitised human erythrocytes was tested for its suitability for use in diagnostic laboratories. The immune response to acute rub...

Using sera from 340 patients with syphilis the Treponema pallidum immune adherence (TPIA) test was compared with the glass plate, T. pallidum haemagglutination (TPHA), and fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorbed (FTA-ABS) tests. The results of the TPIA test agreed with those of the glass plate, TPHA, and FTA-ABS tests in 65%, 82%, and 73% of cases respectively. In the quantitative TPIA test no...

Tests by counter-immunoelectrophoresis for antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) were introduced into a routine testing programme for evidence of hepatitis B virus infection. Samples tested for anti-HBc were selected on the basis of the results of tests for HBsAg and clinical details. The sensitivity and specificity of the test were assessed and correlations made with the presence of ...

Background and Aims: Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is responsible for several significant human viral diseases, with severity ranging from subclinical to fatal infection. Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV2) infections are more commonly seen in association with the genitalia and surrounding areas, and can be transmitted to newborns during childbirth. Generalized infections in newborns are also predo...