Recombinant ELISA using baculovirus-expressed VP2 for detection of antibodies against canine parvovirus

The gene encoding the VP2 protein of canine parvovirus type 2 was expressed in an insect-baculovirus system. The recombinant (r) VP2 was similar antigenically/functionally to the native capsid protein as demonstrated by hemagglutination, Western blotting and hemagglutination inhibition test, using Canine parvovirus type-2 (CPV-2) positive sera. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using the rVP2 was used for testing CPV-2 positive and negative sera from dogs and for determining the threshold of maternally derived antibodies interfering with successful vaccination of pups against CPV-2.

► Canine parvovirus type-2 (CPV-2) is a major threat to the health of dogs.
► Maternally derived immunity in pups can interfere with vaccine immunization.
► A precise evaluation of maternal immunity could help minimizing the antibody interference.
► A recombinant ELISA was developed to assess precisely the antibody titers in pups.