Effect of varied amounts of PBS and time before application of PBS on the ACE for detection of calves persistently infected with bovine viral diarrhea virus.

The identification and removal of persistently infected (PI) animals from a production system is a key component to controlling BVD. In order to achieve this, a reliable method of testing for PI animals must be used. Ear notching is a common and easy way to obtain diagnostic samples in a relatively non-invasive manner. Previously these tissue samples were examined by immunohistochemistry for the presence of the BVD virus in the epithelium. Recently, advancements have been made that allows the testing of a phosphate buffered saline ear notch extract by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). This technique of detecting BVD infected animals is much more rapid than the conventional IHC testing. Additionally, ELISA testing methods do not require the level of specialized equipment or number of personnel that other methods such as ear-notch immunohistochemistry or polymerase chain reaction require, and readily adapt themselves to automation.