Antibody titers in cattle clinically and subclinically infected with bovine leukemia virus

Antibody titers to protein (p) and glycoprotein (gp) antigens of bovine leukemia virus were studied by the immunodiffusion test in two groups of cattle. One group showed evidence of enzootic bovine leukosis (BL+ cattle), whilst the second group, possessing antibodies to gp antigen, were adjudged as subclinical cases (BL?). All 165 BL? and 97% (108/111) BL+ cattle possessed antibodies to gp antigen but those to p antigen were evident in only 67% BL? cattle in contrast to 89% in BL+ cattle. Mean antibody titers to both antigens were statistically higher in BL+ cattle.     

Comparison of four serologic tests for the detection of antibodies to bovine leukemia virus

Four tests for detection of antibodies to bovine leukemia virus (BLV) were compared. The sera that were tested came from cattle in naturally infected commercial dairy herds, cattle that were infected under experimental conditions, and cattle in an isolated BLV-free herd. The tests that were compared included a radioimmunoprecipitation assay (RIA) with p24 antigen, a RIA with glycoprotein (gp) antigen, an agar-gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test with gp antigen, and a virus-neutralization (VN) test that was based on inhibition of BLV-induced syncytia in cell culture. Results of the 4 serologic tests agreed for 96.8% of the sera from cattle in commercial herds. The gp RIA detected the greatest number of positive sera (188); it was followed in turn by the p24 RIA (187), the VN test (183), and the AGID test (176). The gpd RIA titers of the 12 sera that gave negative AGID results were 175 or less. In RIA, the percentage of precipitation of labeled antigen by positive sera was almost always higher with gp antigen than with p24 antigen. Satisfactory sensitivity in the p24 RIA required the acceptance of a low level of antigen precipitation, 15%, as a positive test. In the gp RIA, however, almost all positive sera precipitated at least 50% of the labeled antigen. Nonspecific precipitation of antigen in the RIA by sera from BLV-free cattle ranged from 4% to 10%. Examination of sequential serum samples from 17 experimentally infected cattle showed that BLV antibody was first detected 2 to 8 weeks after inoculation. In 9 cattle, seroconversion was detected simultaneously by all of the tests. Results from the other 8 cattle indicated that seroconversion could be detected first by p24 RIA, followed by the gp RIA and the VN test. The longest interval between RIA seroconversion and AGID seroconversion was 10 days. Monthly tests of sera from 10 laboratory cattle that were infected by contact exposure showed that 7 animals seroconverted in all tests at the same time. Two cattle were positive first in RIA, but the next month they were also positive in the VN and AGID tests. One animal was positive in the RIA and the VN test for 2 months before antibody was detected by AGID.     

Comparison of four tests to evaluate the reactivity of rabbit sera against envelope or Gag-related proteins of bovine leukemia virus (BLV)

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) has a long latency period during which animals are inapparently infected, may spread the disease, and are only detected by serological techniques or by the most cumbersome molecular biology techniques. We have compared techniques for detecting either total antibodies (ELISA), anti-p24 and Gag-related proteins (Western blot), or anti-gp51 (agar gel immunodiffusion, AGID, and syncytia inhibition, SI) in rabbits inoculated experimentally with inocula of variable immunogenicity. The two tests to detect antibodies to gp51 correlated well in sera clearly positive or clearly negative by either one, but correlation was poor in the intermediate groups. All sera positive by AGID were also positive by ELISA, but results did not agree in sera negative by AGID, ELISA proving to be more sensitive. Western blot was a good technique for detecting antibodies against Gag-related proteins. However, no band was identified to clearly correspond to anti-Env-related proteins. As for other retroviruses, testing of animals for infection with BLV should include the detection of antibodies anti-Gag and anti-Env proteins.     

Immune response against Leishmania antigens in dogs naturally and experimentally infected with Leishmania infantum

Cell-mediated and humoral immune response in naturally and experimentally infected dogs was studied using crude and pure antigens. Both types of infections induced severe signs of visceral disease, but the symptoms observed in natural infections were more pronounced than in experimental infections. In addition, asymptomatic infections were not observed in experimentally infected animals. Disease evolution in laboratory infections was rapid and an increase in antibody titer to crude parasite antigen was correlated with the appearance and aggravation of clinical symptoms. Peripheral blood lymphocyte proliferation to crude antigen and pure gp63 was observed early following experimental infection, but was abolished once the infected dogs began to exhibit clinical signs. A similar pattern was observed in naturally infected dogs. Serum from all patent dogs showed high antibody titers to rK39 in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), and reacted by western blotting with several antigens, 12 to 120 KDa, including gp63 and gp70. In the case of asymptomatic dogs. antibody titers to crude antigen were low and only a few antigens were identified by western blotting. None of the pure proteins examined, gp63, gp70, and rK39 were recognized by western blotting or ELISA. However, asymptomatic dogs exhibited specific lymphocyte proliferation to both crude antigen and the potential vaccine candidate gp63.     

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of bovine immunoglobulin G1 antibody to a protoplasmic antigen of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for the detection of antibodies to Mycobacterium paratuberculosis in the sera of cattle. This assay was designed to minimize the nonspecific ELISA reactions caused by immunoglobulin (Ig)M by measuring only IgG1 antibodies against a protoplasmic antigen from the organism. The ELISA detected IgG1 antibodies in the sera of 58% of cattle with positive fecal cultures for M paratuberculosis compared with detection of 45% of culture-positive animals with an immunodiffusion test. In addition to its sensitivity, the ELISA apparently is highly specific because only 4% of the sera from fecal culture-negative animals gave a false-positive result.     

The detection of transmissible gastroenteritis viral antibodies by immunodiffusion.

Precipitating antibodies against transmissible gastroenteritis viral antigens were detected by the immunodiffusion test in two transmissible gastroenteritis viral hyperimmune antisera and in antiserum prepared against haemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus but not in sera from several species of normal animals, in antisera prepared against a variety of othet viruses and bacteria or sera from swine with bacterial enteritis. When the immunodiffusion test was compared with the virus neutralization test for the detection of transmissible gastroeneritis viral antibodies in 20 swine sera certain samples which contained high titres of virus neutralizing antibodies failed to produce precipitation while other sera were positive in the immunodiffusion test although their virus neutralizing antibody titres were relatively low. Precipitating antibodies were also detected by immunodiffusion in several samples of milk whey from a sow which had been vaccinated with inactivated transmissible gastroenteritis virus.     

The role of virus dose in experimental bovine leukemia virus infection in sheep.

Twenty-four, six month old lambs were assembled into four groups of five animals each and one group of four animals. All groups were inoculated with lymphocytes from a single donor lamb infected with bovine leukemia virus. The inoculum varied from 250 to 250,000 lymphocytes, in tenfold increments. Animals were exposed by intradermal injection in the neck region immediately anterior to the left shoulder joint. All groups were monitored at 0, 3, 7 and 12 weeks after inoculation using the following procedures: a. Syncytia induction assay for detection of bovine leukemia virus in peripheral blood lymphocytes. b. Agar gel immunodiffusion against the gp51 antigen of bovine leukemia virus for the detection of antibovine leukemia virus gp51 antibody. c. Lymphocyte stimulation test for the assessment of cell-mediated immunity using mitogen, nonfractionated bovine leukemia virus antigen, and partially purified bovine lymphoma tumor-associated antigen for the in vitro activation of lymphocytes from bovine leukemia virus-inoculated and sham-inoculated, control animals. d. Routine hematological techniques for the assessment of total leukocyte and lymphocyte counts. The median infectious dose for lymphocytes from the single bovine leukemia virus-infected donor used in this study was determined to be 2000 cells. The syncytia induction assay detected more infected individuals (13/23) at an earlier time than did the agar gel immunodiffusion assay (10/23). Using either serological or virus isolation techniques, infected animals were first detected at three weeks postinoculation in the group receiving the high-dose inoculum and at seven weeks postinoculation in groups receiving low- or medium-dose inocula.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Enzootic bovine leukosis: Preparation of an antigen for the agar gel immunodiffusion test and statistical comparison with other antigens

The preparation of an antigen for the agar gel immunodiffusion test prepared by ultrafiltration of cell culture supernatant (chronically infected fetal lamb kidney cells) is described. The antigen obtained was compared by the single radial immunodiffusion test with an antigen prepared by ammonium sulfate precipitation (30%) and the commercial antigens (Pitman Moore, Seromed). The positive serum was used either undiluted or diluted 1:16 to test for the internal (P 24) and the external antigens (Gp 60) respectively.The results obtained indicated that the antigen prepared by ultrafiltration appeared to be much superior to the others, and contained Gp 60 which detects the commonly found antibodies in bovine leukosis virus-infected cattle.     

The gp135 of caprine arthritis encephalitis virus affords greater sensitivity than the p28 in immunodiffusion serology

The 135,000 mw glycoprotein (gp135) and the 28,000 mw internal protein (p28) of caprine arthritis encephalitis virus are major viral constituents in precipitin lines formed between crude antigen preparations and sera from infected goats. In testing 307 goat and sheep sera, 118 samples were positive in a gp135 assay and only 82 were positive in a p28 assay. However, some goat sera were found which reacted only with the p28 and therefore testing for antibody against both proteins may be necessary to identify a maximum number of virus infected goats by immunodiffusion.     

Comparison of agar gel immunodiffusion test, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and western blotting for the detection of BLV antibodies

An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the diagnosis of bovine leukaemia virus (BLV) infection was developed and compared with the agar gel immunodiffusion test (AGIDT). Western blotting (WB) was used as confirmatory test. ELISA and AGIDT had specificities that were comparable with that of WB, however, ELISA showed a higher sensitivity than AGIDT. The ELISA was useful for screening a large number of samples, whereas WB was important for detecting the antibody response against the individual BLV-proteins. Different types of positive serological reactions were discerned in WB, that correlated with reactions of sera in AGIDT and ELISA. The most important antigen in WB and ELISA was the BLV protein p24, whereas the BLV glycoproteins gp51 and gp30 were of special importance in AGIDT. The relevance of repeatedly testing the antibody response in BLV-infected herds for control and eradication programmes using assays with higher sensitivity than AGIDT was demonstrated.     

Studies on bovine leukosis. VII. Further experience with an ELISA for the detection of antibodies to bovine leukosis virus

An enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the agar gel immunodiffusion test with bovine leukosis virus glycoprotein as antigen (AGIDT-BLV gp) were further used to test 633 bovine sera for antibodies to BLV. Both tests detected the same number of sera positive (149) or negative (464) for antibodies. Nine sera were negative in the ELISA but found to be weakly positive (2 sera) or bending the control line (7) in the AGDT-BLV gp. On the other hand 11 sera were scored negative in the AGIDT-BLV gp but were weakly positive (9 sera), positive (1), and strongly positive (1) in the ELISA. Both tests are used routinely in this Institute as they complement each other, specially if sera with low antibody titers are under investigation. It is concluded that ELISA can fully replace radioimmunoassays in the serodiagnosis of enzootic bovine leukosis.     

绵羊进行性肺炎病毒与山羊关节炎一脑炎病毒的血清学交叉反应的研究

本实验用琼脂凝胶免疫扩散试验（ＡＧＩＤＴ）和免疫印迹试验（ＩＢＡ）对实验感染绵羊进行性肺炎病毒（ＯＰＰＶ）的山羊血清与山羊关节炎—脑炎病毒（ＣＡＥＶ）抗原以及实验感染ＣＡＥＶ的绵羊血清与ＯＰＰＶ抗原的交叉反应进行了研究。４只接种ＯＰＰＶ的山羊中有一只山羊的血清可与ＣＡＥＶ琼扩抗原发生交叉反应,并在免疫印迹试验中可识别ＣＡＥＶ的ｇｐ４４、ｐ３５和ｐ２８。２只接种ＣＡＥＶ的绵羊中有一只绵羊的血清可与ＯＰＰＶ琼扩抗原发生交叉反应,并在免疫印迹试验中可识别ＯＰＰＶ的ｇｐ４４和ｐ２８。以上的交叉反应结果表明ＯＰＰＶ与ＣＡＥＶ的抗原之间具有密切的相关性,这对于ＯＰＰＶ通过山羊和ＣＡＥＶ通过绵羊的传代研究是非常重要的,并对将来的免疫预防策略具有重要的指导意义。     

Equine Infectious Anemia: Sensitivity of the Agar-gel Immunodiffusion Test, and the Direct and the Indirect Complement-fixation Tests for the Detection of Antibodies in Equine Serum

The comparative values of the direct, the indirect complement-fixation and the agar-gel immunodiffusion tests were assessed for the diagnosis of equine infectious anemia. Antibodies were detected on the agar-gel immunodiffusion test as early as 18 days post-inoculation in the serums of experimentally infected horses and were readily detectable in all the subsequent bleedings. Complement-fixing antibodies, demonstrable by the direct method, were detected commencing about the same time. However, these were not long-lasting and were replaced by the non-complement-fixing antibodies demonstrable by the indirect method; although both types of antibodies could be detected in some sera at the same time. In a herd of 55 horses, 28 were positive on the agar-gel immunodiffusion test, and among these 28 horses, 24 of them reacted on either the direct or indirect complement-fixation test or both. Thirteen horses that were negative on the three tests at the first sampling, reacted on the agar-gel immunodiffusion test 43 days later. Ten of these positive animals had direct type of complement-fixing antibodies; only one had the indirect; and two of them were negative on both tests. It appeared that the AGI test was a more reliable technique than either the direct or indirect complement-fixation tests, particularly when dealing with serums which contained small amounts of antibody. The sequential appearance of the two different types of complement-fixing activity might be used to determine the evolution of the disease on a herd basis.     

The use of homologous antigen in the serological diagnosis of brucellosis caused by Brucella melitensis

In the European Union the serological diagnosis of brucellosis caused by Brucella melitensis is performed using the heterologous antigen of B. abortus S99. The possible higher sensitivity or ability of an early detection of antibodies by a homologous antigen may prove very useful in the final phases of an eradication programme. Results obtained in sheep experimentally infected by B. melitensis biovar 3 were compared using B. abortus S99, B. melitensis M1, M2 and M3 antigens in the Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT), the complement fixation test (CFT) and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. Forty-six sheep from an officially brucellosis-free flock were experimentally infected intraconjunctivally with B. melitensis biovar 3. Prior to infection, all animals were tested first against Brucella antibodies, weekly for 2 months post-infection (PI) and then monthly for a further 7 months. All sera were tested against the antigens listed above using RBPT, CFT and ELISA. Using a Bayesian approach, test sensitivities were estimated and compared. Their ability for the early detection of antibodies was evaluated through a regression model based on a logit response model, using the number of days PI as the independent variable and the logit of the fraction of positive animals as the dependent variable. No significant differences were detected among the various antigens used, either in terms of sensitivity or in terms of antibody kinetics; however, the CFT was significantly less sensitive than the RBPT and ELISA and it also showed a lower rate of increase of percentage positive animals (beta-coefficient of regression analysis).     

Serum auto antibodies and clinical/pathological features in German shepherd dogs with a lupuslike syndrome

This study presents 8 dogs of German Shepherd breed (6 males, 2 females, 2-5 years of age at onset of the disease) with a lupus like syndrome characterized by febrile polyarthritis, wasting, nephropathy, cutaneous lesions and high positive titres of ANA (antinuclear antibodies) of speckled type. The serum autoantibodies were further characterized by double immunodiffusion against ENA (extractable nuclear antigen), ELISA for Histone antibodies (Histon fraction H-24A and H-3S), indirect IF on rat-liver sections, non treated and RNase/DNase digested sections for DNP/RNP antibodies, and smears of a hemoflagellate C. luciliae for antibodies vs doubbel strained DNA, (dsDNA). Thus, the high ANA titres in these dogs represent varying types of autoantibodies against nucleoproteins of both DNA and RNA nature, associated histone antigens and non-histone antibodies (RNA and Sm) as well. Rheumatoid Factor titres in serum from these dogs were low or negative. Immunoglobulin deposits at dermo-epidermal junctions were demonstrated in some of the dogs with hyperkeratotic skin lesions. High concentration of serum-IgG was a constant finding in combination with anemia and in most cases leukopenia probably related to the chronic inflammatory process in these animals. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) or thrombocytopenia was not detected in these dogs.     

Studies on Bovine Leukosis

Summary

An enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the agar gel immunodiffusion test with bovine leukosis virus glycoprotein as antigen (AGIDT‐BLV gp) were further used to test 633 bovine sera for antibodies to BL V. Both tests detected the same number of sera positive (149) or negative (464) for antibodies. Nine sera were negative in the ELISA but found to be weakly positive (2 sera) or bending the control line (7) in the AGIDT‐BLV gp. On the other hand 11 sera were scored negative in the AGIDT‐BLV gp but were weakly positive (9 sera), positive (1), and strongly positive (I) in the ELISA. Both tests are used routinely in this Institute as they complement each other, specially if sera with low antibody titers are under investigation. It is concluded that ELISA can fully replace radioimmunoassays in the serodiagnosis of enzootic bovine leukosis.     

Indirect immunofluorescence and immunodiffusion tests in the detection of antibodies to foot-and-mouth disease virus

The antibody response detected by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) as well as that directed against 140 S and virus infection associated antigen (VIA), as detected by agar immunodiffusion, was studied in three mammal species susceptible to Foot and Mouth Disease Virus, after challenge with living virus, immunization and hyperimmunization with inactivated virus, and immunization followed by challenge. By spot indirect immunofluorescence, antibodies were detected only in animals undergoing an active infection, and were not detected in immunized or hyperimmunized animals. This behaviour was similar to that of the anti-VIA antibodies in the same groups of animals and differed from that of anti-140 S antibodies. It appeared that spot indirect immunofluorescence for the detection of VIA antigen is comparable to the immunodiffusion test, but the speed of IIF and the possibility of handling many samples make it more practical.     

Use of a monoclonal antibody against envelope protein gp51 of bovine leukemia virus in a test for the diagnosis of enzootic bovine leukosis

A highly specific monoclonal antibody (mAb) directed against envelope protein gp51 and effectively bonding the antigen (Ag) on account of its high affinity from an unpurified Ag preparation was chosen for use in a double-sandwich enzyme immuno-assay (EIA) for diagnosis of bovine leukaemia virus (BLV). The epitopes recognised in bovine sera by the gp51-specific antibodies were at the same time properly exposed. Some parameters of major importance to testing were optimised (Ab and Ag quantities, dilution of bovine sera for testing). Preliminary testing of the double-sandwich EIA on selected bovine sera and comparison with both the immunodiffusion test and anti-BLV EIA confirmed its good diagnostic specificity and sensitivity. Hence, this double-sandwich EIA, developed by means of an mAB against gp51, on account of the possibility to use as Ag culture supernatant of the FLC cell line, is a sensitive, low-cost alternative to the anti-BLV EIA Dessau MTP which had so far been used. The double-sandwich EIA is recommended for use in final sanitation for its high analytical and diagnostic sensitivity.     

An international comparison of different laboratory tests for the diagnosis of bovine leukosis: suggestions for international standardization

A collaborative study was conducted to compare the detection limit of different laboratory tests for antibodies against bovine leukemia virus (BLV). Serum and milk samples were tested in agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID), different modifications of indirect ELISA, blocking ELISA and ELISA procedures using monoclonal antibodies to BLV gp51 or BLV p24. The detection limit of reference serum E4 diluted 2-fold in negative serum gave a median value of 1:16 in AGID, indirect ELISA, and monoclonal ELISA p24, 1:128 in monoclonal ELISA gp51, and 1:1024 in blocking ELISA. The detection limit of a 4% immunoglobulin preparation of E4 diluted in negative milk showed median values of 1:800 in indirect ELISA, 1:1000 in monoclonal ELISA, and 1:2400 in blocking ELISA. None of the ELISA procedures could detect all the positive individual milk samples diluted 1:50. The AGID test is the official reference test for detection of antibodies against BLV. Reference serum E4 diluted 1:10 in negative serum must be scored positive in the AGID test. It is suggested that an international reference serum standard be established rather than an official recommendation of a particular ELISA test.     

Enzootic bovine leukosis application of E.L.I.S.A. technique for the detection of antibodies

A simple microplate method of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (E.L.I.S.A.) for detecting antibodies to bovine leukosis virus (B.L.V.) is described. The antigen consisted of a solution containing the two major antigens of the B.L.V. (gp 51 and p 24) obtained by a technique of purification using CN-Br activated Sepharose 4B. This E.L.I.S.A. was compared with the agar gel immunodiffusion test (A.G.I.D.T.) in a study of 545 bovine sera. The total discrepancy rate between the two tests was 11% with a better sensitivity for E.L.I.S.A.