The Occurrence of Psittacosis Virus Complement-Fixing (CF), Noncomplement-Fixing (NCF) and Neutralizing (N) Antibodies in Domestic Pigeons

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Abstract
Summary: A group of caged pigeons associated with cases of human psittacosis were examined serologically for the presence of complement-fixing (CF), noncomplement fixing (NCF) and neutralizing (N) antibodies. The fraction of birds with antibodies varied from 31 to 57% depending upon the serologic test employed, but was highest when all three types of antibody were tested for. It appears that the three types of antibody may occur independently of one another and at about equal frequencies. The presence of CF or NCF antibody generally excluded the other type although it was found that both may occasionally occur in the same bird concurrently. N antibody was associated with NCF antibody at a rate six to seven times greater than with CF antibody, hence NCF antibody appears to be a possible indicator of N antibody.