Detection of antibodies to West Nile virus using the plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT). This test is used to assess vaccine titers in horses or to test non-equine species for antibodies to West Nile virus.
Mammals: fresh brain, spinal cord, or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Avian: EDTA whole blood, 1g fresh tissue (liver, spleen, kidney, bone marrow, brain, heart), oral or cloacal swabs (preferably with a few drops of transport media or saline). Note that oral swabs may not be appropriate for all bird species such as raptors.
Detection of IgM antibodies to West Nile virus in equine serum by IgM-capture ELISA. This test is used to assess recent exposure to West Nile virus in clinically ill equines.