INTERLABORATORY COMPARISON OF ENZYME-LINKED-IMMUNOSORBENT-ASSAY (ELISA) AND INDIRECT IMMUNOFLUORESCENCE (IIF) FOR DETECTION OF BORDETELLA-BRONCHISEPTICA ANTIBODIES IN GUINEAPIGS

Thirty-nine guineapigs were examined for Bordetella bronchiseptica inf ection by culture and serology, using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) test. Each ser ological method detected evidence of B. bronchiseptica infection in mo re guineapigs than did culture. IIF using an antigen prepared from a m ouse isolate of B. bronchiseptica detected fewer infected guineapigs t han when performed with antigens prepared from B. bronchiseptica isola tes from a rat, dog and a guineapig. ELISA and IIF detected a comparab le incidence of infection. Cross-reactivity was investigated further b y carrying out ELISAs using 5 antigens prepared from B. bronchiseptica isolates from different species and antiserum to these antigens raise d in non-infected guineapigs.