Diagnosis of IBR - Diagnostic tests

The usefulness of a marker vaccine depends on the existence of a reliable diagnostic test to evaluate the results of eradication programmes.

Two types of BoHV-1 ELISA tests are currently available:

• Type 1 detects antibodies against gB - cannot differentiate between field infection and vaccination with both marker and non-marker vaccines.
• Type 2 detects antibodies against gE - possible to differentiate between field infection and vaccination with a marker vaccine.

Both gB and gE antibodies can be measured in serum and milk samples. Antibodies against gB are developed earlier than gE antibodies (2-3 weeks difference), meaning that gB antibodies can be detected earlier.