Development and evaluation of an indirect ELISA for detecting sialodacryoadenitis virus antibodies in laboratory rats

Abstract

Sialodacryoadenitis virus (SDAV), a coronavirus that commonly infects laboratory rats, causes respiratory illness and inflammation of the salivary and lacrimal glands. This study focuses on the development and evaluation of an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detecting antibodies against SDAV. The ELISA demonstrated promising results for rapid and reliable diagnosis of SDAV infection. The assay was applied to a panel of positive and negative serum against SDAV and has demonstrated a 100% positive and negative predictive value. The clear distinction between negative and positive samples suggests high sensitivity and specificity of the assay. This indirect ELISA shows potential as a valuable tool for SDAV diagnosis in laboratory settings, offering rapid and reliable results that could significantly enhance disease monitoring and control strategies in animal facilities. In conclusion, the developed indirect ELISA for SDAV antibody detection demonstrates promising performance and could contribute to improved animal welfare and research quality in laboratory settings.