Specific identification of enteroviruses by immuno-electron microscopy using a serum-in-agar diffusion method

Abstract

Rapid type-specific identification of enteroviruses was performed by immuno-electron microscopy on crude cell-culture isolates, using an agar-diffusion technique in which the typing sera were incorporated in the agar. Seventeen virus samples which consisted of 11 different enterovirus types showed no cross-reaction when tested against 15 enterovirus antisera. Specific virus identification, based on the presence of visible antigen–antibody complexes, was not dependent on optimal dilutions of antiserum, but could be achieved with a variety of dilutions. The minimum amount of virus that could be detected by this method was about 100 times less than that detectable by electron microscopy in the absence of antiserum.