Table 1.
Summary of currently available diagnostic tests for Hendra virus in clinically unwell horses.
| Category | Diagnostic test | Preferred sample(s) [84] | Purpose(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detect presence of virus (antigen) | qRT-PCR | EDTA blood | First step of exclusion test. Quick to perform, results within 4 h. Only detects virus genetic material. |
| Viral isolation | Swabs (nasal or oro-naso-pharyngeal), clotted blood | Influenced by multiple factors. Must be performed in PC4 laboratory. Takes days to perform test. | |
| Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) | N/A | Point-of-care diagnostics. Allow quick detection of potential HeV infection. Should not replace PCR. | |
| Detect immune response (antibodies) | iELISAa | Clotted blood | Detect HeV specific antibodies. Allows for high throughput in 96 well plate format. |
| Viral/Serum neutralization test | Clotted blood | Reference standard for the detection of neutralizing antibodies to HeV and provide antibody titer. Must be performed in PC4 laboratory. Takes 3 days to perform test. | |
| Bead-based microsphere immuno-assay (Luminex®)a | Clotted blood | Detect HeV antibodies and a surrogate of HeV neutralization test. Can be performed in PC2 laboratories. |
N/A, not available; qRT-PCR, real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction; iELISA, indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay; HeV, Hendra virus; PC, physical containment; EDTA, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid.
a
Sensitivity/Specificity of (1) iELISA: 84.2%/97.1% [88, 2) Luminex® blocking assay: 95.24%/100%, binding assay: 95.24%/99.64% [86].