The standard strain and 78 field samples of rabbit haemorrhagic disease were tested by the haemagglutination test (HA) and ELISA. The occurrence of 17% false negative results in HA test was demonstrated. The results of studies of 30 out of 78 samples examined by the ELISA prepared in our laboratory in comparison with commercial kit are presented. The high correlation of results obtained in ELISA kits was observed. The structural proteins of 17 viral sarnples were analysed by the SDS-Page and Western blot methods. HA positive samples demonstrated the presence of major structural protein with molecular weight of about 60 kD and in some samples the protein with m.w. of 38 kD. In HA false negative samples the proteins of about 60 and 26-28 kD were demonstrated. The viral proteins recognized by positive rabbit homologic and hare heterologic sera, did not react with negative rabbit serum.
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to demonstrate the presence of CPV DNA in tissue cultures and faecal suspensions. A simple procedure of sample preparation was elaborated and it made the PCR easily applicable in rapid confirmation of the diagnosis of parvovirus infection. The results of PCR were compared with virus isolation, haemagglutination and immunoenzymatic tests.