Rapid Detection of West Nile Virus in Birds Using the VecTest™ WNV Antigen Assay

Gay Henson; Paul Hicock

doi:10.29074/ascls.17.4.218

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Gay Henson, CLS(NCA)⇑
1. is a medical technologist at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson MS
Paul Hicock, MS SM(ASCP)
1. is Associate Professor at the University of Mississippi, Jackson MS

Address for correspondence: Gay Henson, 500 Avalon Way, Apt 909, Brandon MS 39047. (601) 435-0120. gayhenson{at}bellsouth.net

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine if the VecTest™ West Nile Virus Antigen Assay (for testing mosquitoes) could be adapted to detect West Nile virus (WNV) rapidly and accurately in birds for screening purposes.

DESIGN: Cloacal swabs and tissue (kidney and spleen) were harvested from 40 fresh dead birds. The VecTest was used for each swab specimen for detection of WNV; PCR was used for each tissue specimen for confirmation of WNV.

SETTING: Mississippi Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (MVDL) in Jackson Mississippi and College of Veterinary Medicine-Mississippi State University (CVM-MSU) in Starkville Mississippi.

SPECIMENS/SUBJECTS: Forty birds of the Corvid family (31 blue jays and 9 American crows) were included in the study. Fresh dead birds that died from no obvious cause were submitted for testing.

RESULTS: VecTest results were 35 positives and 5 negatives. PCR results were 35 positives and 5 negatives.

CONCLUSION: The VecTest showed 100% accuracy.

ABBREVIATIONS: CVM-MSU = College of Veterinary Medicine-Mississippi State University; MVDL = Mississippi Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory; PCR = polymerase chain reaction; PFU = plaque forming unit; RT-PCR = reverse transcription-nested polymerase chain reaction; SLE = St Louis encephalitis; VI = virus isolation; WNV = West Nile virus.