A complement fixation test for antibody to the contagious equine metritis organism

Abstract

A complement fixation test (CFT) based on that used for brucellosis (Brinley Morgan and others 1971) has been developed for use on the sera of horses exposed to the contagious equine metritis (CEM) organism. None of 50 single samples from horses thought to be unexposed to the CEM organism was positive to the test, although five showed inconclusive reactions. Samples were examined from 41 mares either proved to be infected or from an infected stud. Of these 21 were positive, 11 were inconclusive and nine were negative. The relationship of the CFT to reactions in the other tests used in this condition is discussed--the serum agglutination test (SAT) and antiglobulin test (AGT) (Benson and others 1978). Complement fixing antibodies appear to remain for a longer period in the infected animal, and are therefore more likely to be of use in the diagnosis of the chronic carrier state.

The structure of the polysaccharide of the lipopolysaccharide produced by Taylorella equigenitalis type strain (ATCC 35865)

“…The current diagnosis of CEM is based on the isolation of T. equigenitalis by conventional bacteriological culture from field genital swabs, the employment of PCR tests [5][6][7][8][9][10] and serology using both polyclonal and monoclonal antibody methodologies [11][12][13][14] directed to protein rather than to specific glycosyl derivatives.…”

Characterization of the major antigens of Haemophilus equigenitalis (contagious equine metritis organism)

“…In addition, a number of serological tests, including agglutination, antiglobulin, complement fixation and indirect haemagglutination procedures, have been developed for the detection of antibodies to H. equigenitalis for diagnostic purposes ; Croxton-Smith et al 1978;Fernie, Cayzer & Chalmers, 1979). Nevertheless, relatively little is yet known of the antigenic structure of the organism.…”

An Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for the Convenient Serodiagnosis of Contagious Equine Metritis in Mares

“…6,7 Traditionally, the complement fixation test (CFT) has been used in the United States for the serodiagnosis of CEM infections. 2,5 The CFT requires, however, an overnight 4 C incubation, will not work reliably with previously frozen serum, and is frequently plagued by anticomplementary or spurious incomplete reactions that are difficult to interpret. 2,5 In the first years after the recognition of CEM as a disease entity, a number of other serological approaches were investigated, including passive hemagglutination, gel immunodiffusion, plate agglutination, and complex early enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methodologies.…”

“…2,5 The CFT requires, however, an overnight 4 C incubation, will not work reliably with previously frozen serum, and is frequently plagued by anticomplementary or spurious incomplete reactions that are difficult to interpret. 2,5 In the first years after the recognition of CEM as a disease entity, a number of other serological approaches were investigated, including passive hemagglutination, gel immunodiffusion, plate agglutination, and complex early enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methodologies. 5 The simple and convenient ELISA described here can be completed in Ͻ3 hours, works equally well with fresh or previously frozen sera, and yields a well-defined differentiation between positive and negative serum samples.…”