Identification of Ureaplasmas from Cattle Using Antisera Prepared in Gnotobiotic Calves

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Antisera were prepared in gnotobiotic calves to 3 bovine ureaplasma strains which were selected as representatives of the 3 clusters of serologically similar, but not identical, strains recognized in previous experiments with rabbit antisera. A further 110 isolates from various organ systems of cattle from 6 countries reacted by the fluorescent antibody technique with at least 1 of these bovine antisera and it appears that bovine ureaplasmas can be identified and classified by means of 3 antisera only. The bovine ureaplasmas evidently could be designated as groups A, B or C, these being further subdivided with rabbit antisera. These findings make possible the screening of cattle for antibody to ureaplasmas with just 3 antigens and also have implications for immunization.