Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation, Vol 11, Issue 4, 330-333
Copyright © 1999 by American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians
Comparison of visual microscopic and computer-automated fluorescence detection of rabies virus neutralizing antibodies
D Peharpre,
F Cliquet,
E Sagne,
C Renders,
F Costy,
and
M Aubert
Institut Pasteur de Bruxelles, Service de la Rage, Belgium.
The rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test (RFFIT) and the fluorescent antibody virus neutralization test (FAVNT) are both diagnostic tests for determining levels of rabies neutralizing antibodies. An automated method for determining fluorescence has been implemented to reduce the work time required for fluorescent visual microscopic observations. The automated method offers several advantages over conventional visual observation, such as the ability to rapidly test many samples. The antibody titers obtained with automated techniques were similar to those obtained with both the RFFIT (n = 165, r = 0.93, P < 0.001) and the FAVNT (n = 52, r = 0.99, P < 0.001).
