DAO 53:263-265 (2003)  -  doi:10.3354/dao053263

ABSTRACT: False positive results were obtained in immunodot blot assays to detect white spot syndrome virus when horseradish peroxidase-conjugated sheep anti-mouse immunoglobin (Ig) serum was used as a secondary antibody with 3-3¹-diaminobenzine tetrahydrochloride dihydrate as the detection substrate. The cause was considered to be a reaction of shrimp endogenous peroxidase (POD) with the substrate. In experiments designed to inhibit POD activity, 9 different reagents were used at different concentrations and for different treatment times. EDTA, sodium azide, HEPES-Na, NaHSO₃, H₂O₂ and phenylthiourea (PTU) were able to inhibit POD activity by 44, 60, 64, 67, 79, and 90%, respectively. Phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride did not inhibit POD, and neither periodic acid nor H₂O₂ in methanol were appropriate due to the formation of flocculant precipitates when added to shrimp extracts. It was concluded that of the treatments tested, 10 mM PTU for 2 h yielded optimal inhibition and that such pretreatment of samples eliminates false positive results in immunodot blot assays.

KEY WORDS: Shrimp · Peroxidase · WSSV · Immunodot blot