Development and validation of a recombinant nucleocapsid protein-based ELISA for detection of the antibody to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus

Three indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (iELISA) based on the North American like (NA-like), European like (EU-like) and co-expressed NA- and EU-like recombinant nucleocapsid proteins (N-protein) of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) were validated for the detection of the antibodies in porcine sera. A total of 422 serum samples from unvaccinated pigs were tested. The cut-off value was optimized by a two-graph receiver operating characteristics analysis at a 95% confidence level. This assay was validated with Western blot analysis and IDEXX HerdChek™ ELISA. Cross-reactivity results showed that iELISA was PRRSV-specific. Repeatability tests revealed that the coefficients of variation of positive sera within and between runs were less than 10%. The results indicate that iELISA is simpler to produce and perform, time-saving and suitable for large scale surveys of PRRSV infection at low cost, and is potentially useful to evaluate the efficiency of various vaccines against PRRSV.