Objective: To develop a simple and specific assay for detection of humoral immune response in duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) infected ducks.
Methods: Eighty serum samples were detected by ELISA for DHBsAg with prepared anti-preS 1H1 ascitic fluid and by PCR or dot blot hybridization for DHBV DNA. Thirty-two serum samples from experimentally infected 1-day-old ducks were assayed by ELISA for DHBcAb and DHBsAb.
Results: Of 66 PCR positive samples, 58 were positive for DHBsAg and 62 were positive for DHBV dot blot hybridization. Sensitivities of the two methods were 87.9% and 93.9%, respectively. Anti-DHBc was developed in 2/8 infected ducks at day 21 but negative after day 28. Anti-DHBs antibodies were negative throughout the infectious period.
Conclusion: The application of DHBV infection and serological assay will be helpful to the study of kinetics of DHBV and humoral immune response of ducks against the virus.