A solid phase fluorescent immunoassay using polyacrylamide beads coated with rabbit anti-porcine parvovirus antibodies has been developed and utilized in the diagnosis of porcine parvovirus infection.

The antibody-coated beads (immunobeads) were used both to detect virus in mummified fetal tissues and to demonstrate specific antibodies in serum and ovarian follicular fluid. The immunobeads assay (IBA) was as sensitive as ELISA but more sensitive than virus isolation using tissue culture and haemagglutination tests. Both mummified and normal fetuses were obtained after experimental infection of SPF pregnant gilts. Using immunobeads, porcine parvovirus antigen was found in all mummified fetuses, but was found in only 1 out of 17 normal fetuses.