Abstract: Objective To develop a ELISA method for determination of Mouse Hepatitis Virus antibody in Mongolian gerbils. Methods The cultured DBT cell were vaccinated with MHV-V1、MHV- V3、MHV-JHM virus for preparation the normal DBT antigen and special MHV antigen, the best working density of enzyme union and the normal or special antigen were titrated and the experiments of accuracy, sensitivity, stability and specificity were done. Result The best working density of normal, special antigen and the enzyme union is 0.4 µg/ml, 5ěg/ml and 1∶5000 respectively; The inter-assay coefficient of variation of normal antigen and special antigen is 7.9% and 6.8% respectively, the intra-assay average coefficient of variation is 12.7% and 9.7% respectively; The detection sensitivity is 1:1280; There is no cross-reactivity with Sendai virus (SV) and Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). The stability test shows the relative deviation is below 25%. Conclusion The ELISA method is good in duplication, stability, specificity, and sensitivity, as a result of which ELISA may be used in detecting the antibody to MHV in Mongolian gerbil .

Key words: Mouse hepatistis virus(MHV), ELISA, Mongolian gerbil