DETECTION OF COXIELLA-BURNETII ANTIBODIES IN CATTLE USING VARIOUS ELISA SYSTEMS AND A COMPLEMENT-FIXATION TEST

A sensitive indirect ELISA system for the detection of Coxiella burnet ii antibodies was developed using a heat extracted antigen purified by polymyxin B agarose affinity chromatography. This ELISA yielded rearl y the same results obtained with a commercially available indirect ELI SA, but significantly less positive reactions compared with an commerc ially available indirect ELISA. All three ELISA systems were more sens itive than the complement fixation test. Further serological examinati ons of 2743 bovine sera from herds with fertility problems revealed po sitive reactions in 72.8% of samples using the research ELISA and in 1 1.6% of herds using the complement fixation test.