Field evaluation of the indirect ELISA for sero-monitoring during the rinderpest eradication campaign in Tanzania

The previously reported indirect ELISA for the detection of antibodies to rinderpest was modified and ELISA results were correlated with those obtained by the virus neutralization test (VNT). Independent studies in three laboratories showed a VNT/ELISA agreement of approximately 90%. Testing of serial samples from rinderpest infected cattle showed no decline in ELISA antibody up to 18 months post-infection. The test was used under local conditions in Tanzania to assay 50,000 sera as an evaluation of the rinderpest control programme. The ELISA allowed rapid testing of large numbers of sera, a large proportion of which had bacterial contamination which precluded the use of the VNT. Analysis of the results highlighted problems in the field with either vaccination cover or vaccination team performance, which helped in the management of the control programme. The use of the ELISA for sero-monitoring during the Pan African Rinderpest Campaign should allow accurate and meaningful evaluation of herd immunity and vaccination team performance. (author). 8 refs, 6 figs, 5 tabs