SERUM CONCENTRATION OF A BOVINE MANNAN-BINDING PROTEIN REACTIVE WITH A RA CHEMOTYPE STRAIN OF SALMONELLA-TYPHIMURIUM - NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGES ASSOCIATED WITH MASTITIS

The serum concentration of a bovine mannan-binding protein reactive wi th a Ra chemotype strain of Salmonella Typhimurium in sera from cows w ith or without mastitis were determined by sandwich enzyme-linked immu nosorbent assay. From the results obtained for 10 healthy cows aged 2 to 7 years, mean +/- SD serum concentrations of MBP in bovine sera wer e 77.5 +/- 33.1 mug/m/. Concentrations in 7 healthy heifer calves aged 6 months were 52.2 +/- 10.2 mug/ml, whereas those in 7 healthy bulloc ks 65.8 +/- 21.8 mug/ml. Concentrations in 4 cows aged 4 to 7 years wi th mastitis were slightly lower (34 to 72 mug/ml). After recovery, the serum concentrations rose to the normal concentrations in healthy cow s. These findings indicate that the serum concentrations of bovine MBP decrease during mastitis, suggesting that bovine MBP may not be an ac ute phase reactant.