Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and polymerase chain reaction based surveillance of rabbit haemorrhagic disease in Indian and imported rabbits

Abstract

Rabbit serum samples (514) collected from different states of India and 130 rabbits imported from Germany were screened by indirect ELISA for the presence of RHDV antibodies. None of the Indian rabbits were positive while about 48% of the imported rabbits were positive for RHDV antibodies. PCR was optimized for the detection of RHDV capsid gene using a referral clone. RT-PCR was carried out on 222 Indian and 31 imported rabbit PBL.No specific amplification was obtained in Indian rabbits while 10 imported rabbits were positive for RHDV genome. Results indicated the absence of RHDV in Indian rabbits. Results of the tests on the rabbits were comunicated to the department of Animal Husbandry and Drairyng Ministry of Agirculture, India and all the rabbits were euthanized at the quaranties station as quarantine norms. Thus the possible entry of RHDV into India was prevented.