Abstract: C-terminal and N-terminal major epitope domain of ORF2 of swine Hepatitis E (SHEV) were express in E.coli, denominated ORF2-C and ORF2-N respectively. Indirect ELISA assay were developed to detect antibody of swine hepatitis E virus using recombinant proteins. Recombinant proteins were used as diagnostic antigen. Indirect ELISA assay were develop for detect antibody of SHEV. This assay was optimized for ORF2-C and ORF2-N antigen coating concentration of 8 and 12 μg/mL respectively and a serum dilution of 1∶50, with a standard incubation time of 50 and 90 min respectively. ORF2-C a reading of D450 nm≥0.348 and ORF2-N a reading of D450 nm≥0.397 was scored as positive. The positive coincident rate between the fusion protein ELISA and the available Kit was up to 93.3 % and 86.7% respectively in detecting swine HEV antibody. The result showed the indirects ELISA had a better sensitivity, specificity and repeatability. ORF2-C was significantly better than the ORF2-N used as coating antigen. This research was beneficial to further development of diagnostic kit for swine hepatitis E.

Key words: swine Hepatitis E; ORF2; major epitope domain; ELISA