ABSTRACT
Rabies is known as the most fatal disease in all warm-blooded animals, including dogs. Among animals that transmit
rabies, dogs are mainly responsible for transmitting animal rabies in Asian countries. Detection of rabies virus (RABV)
antibodies in dogs is performed by fluorescent antibody virus neutralization (FAVN) test or rapid fluorescent focus
inhibition test. These standard assays are difficult to carry out in diagnostic laboratories without sufficient instruments,
designated RABV, and cell culture systems. An alternative assay that is easy to conduct and time efficient is required for
rapid sero-surveillance following vaccination. Recombinant baculovirus expressing RABV nucleoprotein (RVN) was
constructed and the recombinant protein was purified using Ni-NTA and fast protein liquid column chromatography.
We developed and evaluated an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (I-ELISA) with recombinant RVN for the
detection of RABV antibodies in 122 dog serum samples. The I-ELISA results obtained from these samples were compared
with FAVN results. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of I-ELISA were 88.1%, 92.5%, and 91.0%, respectively,
compared with FAVN. Results of I-ELISA were significantly correlated with that of FAVN (r = 0.81). These results
suggest that I-ELISA with recombinant RVN is useful for sero-surveillance of RABV in dog sera.
Journal of Bacteriology and Virology 2017. Vol. 47, No. 3 p.148 – 155
http://dx.doi.org/10.4167/jbv.2017.47.3.148