Application of Continuous Flow Immunoelectrophoresis to Diagnosis of Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia

Abstract

Cross-over immunoelectrophoresis (CI), a serological test in which antigen and antibody combine to form a precipitate while undergoing electrophoresis, was adapted to detect antibody to contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP). Of 49 serum samples from a herd of cattle with acute CBPP, 34 were positive when tested by the agar gel diffusion test for CBPP. One additional animal was positive when the CI test was used. No normal serum was positive to the CI test. It is suggested that beta-globulins may be involved in the reaction, and that the test could be effectively used as a rapid method for detecting CBPP in herds prior to quarantine.