An indirect haemagglutination test for the detection of Vibrio fetus antibodies

Abstract

Extract

Indirect bacterial haemagglutination was first reported by Keogh et al. (1947 Keogh, E. V., North, E. A. and Warburton, M. F. 1947. Nature (Lond.), 160: 63–63.  Google Scholar]). It depends on the adsorption of bacterial antigens to the surface of red blood cells rendering them agglutinable in the presence of homologous bacterial antibody. A comprehensive review by Neter (1956 Neter, E. 1956. Bact. Rev., 20: 166–166.  Google Scholar]) summarizes the methods used and results achieved with various bacterial antigens. Biberstein (1955 Biberstein, E. L. 1955. Cornell Vet., 46: 144–144.  Google Scholar]) used an adaption of Neter's method of antigen preparation in studying the antigenic relationships of Vibrio species. The objects of the present studywere to determine whether an erythrocyte adsorbable antigen could be obtained from Vibrio fetus, to compare its sensitivity with a formalinized bacterial antigen, and to study its application to the detection of antibodies in bovine vaginal mucus. The work will be described in two sections, the first dealing with the preparation and properties of sheep red cells modified with material derived :from V. fetus, and the second with the detection of antibodies in bovine vaginal mucus.