Immunohistochemical detection of porcine rotavirus using immunogold silver staining (IGSS)

Laboratoire d'Hygiene Veterinaire et Alimentaire, Agriculture Canada, St-Hyacinthe, PQ.

Immunogold silver staining (IGSS) was applied for the detection of porcine group A rotavirus in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections of small intestine. Prior to the application of IGSS, the reactivity of protein A-gold as a marker was tested with group-specific antiserum in immunogold electron microscopy. Immune aggregates were intensely and specifically labeled with the gold complex. Application of IGSS to tissue sections resulted in specific dark staining of villous enterocytes infected by group A rotavirus. This method also proved effective for the detection of rotaviral antigen in infected cultured cells. The IGSS method may be suitable for routine diagnostic detection of rotaviral infections and may have application for detection of other viral pathogens of veterinary importance.