IMMUNOBLOT EXAMINATION OF HUMORAL RESPONSE OF CHICKENS INFECTED WITH MYCOPLASMA-GALLISEPTICUM AT VARIOUS AGES

Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synoviae-free chickens were in fected with 0.2 mi broth culture of M. gallisepticum strain 1226 intra air sac at 3, 14, 18, 28, 42, 49 and 65 days of age. Blood samples we re taken 0-5 weeks before infection and 1-6 weeks after infection (dep ending on age of infection). The antibody response was examined by Wes tern blot. As a control of infection, serum plate agglutination test ( SPA), pathological lesions, and presence of Mycoplasma in air sacs wer e used. Antibodies to p64-67 kDa appeared in all groups of birds on th e first week post-infection. Antibodies to p56 were detected from the second week post-challenge if infection was performed at 3 or 14 days of age, while on first week if challenge was done at 18, 28, 42, 49 or 65 days of age. Antibodies to p200, p120, p98, p80, p75, p72. p60, p5 0, p45, p40, p35, p33, p31, p28, p26, p24 and p22 were also detected. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.