SEROLOGICAL STUDIES OF CORYNEBACTERIUM-KUTSCHERI AND CORYNEFORM BACTERIA USING AN ENZYME-LINKED-IMMUNOSORBENT-ASSAY (ELISA)

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to measure Corynebacteriu m kutscheri antibodies in mice and rats was developed. Seven C. kutsch eri isolates showed considerable serological relationship, but Japanes e isolates differed from the British isolates. The ELISA appeared spec ific since C. kutscheri antigen did not react with antisera against 8 heterologous coryneform species. Antibodies to C. kutscheri were to a limited extent absorbed by autologous and homologous antigen, but not at all by the heterologous coryneform species. In naturally infected w ild Rattus norvegicus and laboratory NA rats, the ELISA demonstrated h igh ODs to C. kutscheri.