Comparison of enzyme-labeled immunosorbent assay and particle concentration fluorescence immunoassay with standard serologic methods and bacteriologic culture for detection of Brucella sp-infected cows in herds with brucellosis.

Abstract

Bacteriologic culture of udder secretions and card, rivanol, and complement fixation tests for detection of brucellosis were performed on samples from 828 cows vaccinated with strain 19 in herds with brucellosis. An ELISA and a particle concentration fluorescence immunoassay were performed on sera from 560 and 569 cows, respectively. A field strain of Brucella abortus or strain 19 was isolated from 278 cows. The ELISA and the card test had high sensitivity, but low specificity. Data suggested that there is no advantage to using primary binding assays rather than the simple buffered antigen agglutination procedures to detect cows infected with a field strain of B abortus.