Bovine Mastitis Caused by Listeria monocytogenes: Kinetics of Antibody Responses in Serum and Milk after Experimental Infection

Abstract

The kinetics of antibodies in serum and milk directed against proteins from Listeria monocytogenes were studied using 4 lactating cows after infection was experimentally induced in the udder with four strains of serotypes 4b or 1/2a. Antibodies (IgG and IgA) in samples of composite quarter milk and serum of the cow were measured by indirect ELISA. Microtiter plates were coated with proteins obtained from the culture supernatant of L. monocytogenes 4b. After challenge, an IgG response in serum and milk to listerial infections in the udder occurred for all cows, although the response varied among cows. In sera, the IgG titers reached a peak at 9 to 13 wk after challenge and remained elevated until 21 to 33 wk after challenge. In milk, the IgG titer increased significantly 3 wk after the challenge for all cows. A weak and nonpersistent increase in IgA antibodies also occurred. These results indicate that IMI by L. monocytogenes induced an increase of antibodies in milk, which could be detected with an ELISA test using our antigenic preparation. Therefore, this antigenic preparation could be used for the evaluation of a new method of diagnosis for bovine mastitis caused by L. monocytogenes.