Figure 5.

Detection of VP7 antibodies in serum of immunized sheep before and after challenge infection with BTV-8. Blood was collected from sheep three weeks after the second immunization (prior to challenge infection with BTV-8) and two weeks after challenge by the end of the experiment. Serum antibodies specific for the VP7 antigen of BTV were detected using a commercially available competitive ELISA. Optical density was recorded at 620 nm and expressed as percentage OD₆₂₀ relative to an internal negative control. OD₆₂₀ values < 50% were considered positive, values between 50% and 60% were regarded as doubtful, and values higher than 60% as negative (thresholds indicated by dashed lines).