Rapid diagnosis of equine influenza

Department of Virology, National Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.

During an epizootic of equine influenza in Norway caused by influenza A/equine (H3N8) virus the efficacy of rapid virus diagnosis by the indirect immunofluorescence technique was evaluated. The antiserum used in the test was a polyclonal influenza A virus antiserum with reactivity directed mainly against the common nucleoprotein and matrix protein. This antiserum possessed sufficient reactivity for the detection of virus-infected exfoliated nasopharyngeal cells. Nasopharyngeal smear samples from 92 horses were examined and a positive diagnosis was obtained for 57 (62 per cent). Paired serum samples were collected from 62 horses and, compared with the haemagglutination inhibition test, the rapid virus diagnosis test had a specificity and sensitivity of 95 per cent and 80 per cent, respectively.