• 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 40  (4) , 404-407
Abstract
Using an indirect fluorescent antibody test, immunofluorescence of large spirochetes was observed with serum from swine that recovered from swine dysentery. The spirochetes were obtained from scrapings of the colonic mucosa on the 1st day of diarrhea which was the time when the spirochete population was observed to be the highest. Of 29 exposed nonmedicated swine which developed and recovered from a diarrhea characteristic of swine dysentery, 27 had antispirochete serum titers which ranged from 1:2-1:16. None of the 50 nonexposed swine developed a titer. Of 19 swine with a serum titer and reexposed to infective swine dysentery inoculum, 18 did not develop a diarrhea and were presumed to be immune. This test could be used to detect antispirochete antibody in unknown swine serum.