Comparison of Immunochromatographic Assay and Haemagglutination Inhibition Test in the Detection of the Presence of Newcastle Disease Virus Antibodies in Commercial Chickens

This study was performed to ascertain the effectiveness of a technique known as “immunochromatographic assay, also called, Lateral Flow Technique (LFT)” in the detection of Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) antibodies (Abs) in comparison with the Haemagglutination Inhibition (HI) test in commercial chickens in Jos South Local Government Area (LGA), Plateau State, Nigeria between February and April 2012. A total of 407 sera were collected. Out of this number, the LFT showed that a higher number (401) of the birds tested (98.5%) had NDV Abs, while HI test showed that 394 birds tested (96.6 %) had NDV Abs with a titre equal to and above the minimum protective titre of log2 3.0. Both the LFT and HI test detected absence of NDV Abs in a particular layer tested. It was concluded that the immunochromatographic assay can also detect presence of NDV Abs in commercial chicken and it can therefore complement HI for prompt and rapid detection of NDV Abs among flocks. It was recommended that farmers can be informed through awareness programmes, such as seminars, trainings and workshops that prompt, quick and rapid Sero-monitoring of NDV Abs is possible through the use of lateral flow technique in order to prevent sudden outbreak of ND in their farms