Use of an Immunoperoxidase Technique to Detect Equine Herpesvirus-1 Antigen in Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded Equine Fetal Tissues

Abstract

An indirect immunoperoxidase (IP) procedure using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex detection technique was developed to detect viral equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) antigen in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues from aborted equine fetuses. The procedure was applied to liver, lung, and other tissues from 20 cases of confirmed or suspected EHV-1 -induced abortions. Specific staining was observed in tissue sections from EHV-1-infected fetuses. Positive IP staining was present in tissues of 7 cases that were also positive by fluorescent antibody (FA) and virus isolation (VI) and that had typical histologic lesions. There was no IP staining in 7 cases that had no histologic lesions and negative FA and VI results. Five cases had typical histologic lesions and positive results in only 1 laboratory test; 3 were positive by VI and 2 by FA. Liver of 1 case was positive by IP, but tissues were too autolytic for other tests to be evaluated.

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