DETECTION OF GALACTOMANNAN AND THE 18-KDA ANTIGEN FROM ASPERGILLUS-FUMIGATUS IN SERUM AND URINE FROM CATTLE WITH SYSTEMIC ASPERGILLOSIS

Serum and urine samples from cattle with experimental and spontaneous systemic mycotic infections were tested for the presence of galactoman nan and the 18 kDa antigen from Aspergillus fumigatus by an inhibition ELISA and immunoblotting, respectively. High levels of galactomannan (approximately 80 ng/ml.) were detected in serum from two of three cal ves experimentally infected with A. fumigatus. In two out of three cow s with spontaneous acquired aspergillosis a similar amount of galactom annan was detected. Galactomannan was not found in serum samples of 20 cows which aborted due to either experimental or spontaneous placenta l aspergillosis. Twenty-four of forty urine samples from normal cattle reacted positively in the ELISA, consequently, the assay was not appl icable on bovine urine. The 18 kDa antigen from A. fumigatus was detec ted in the urine from one calf out of three calves experimentally infe cted with aspergillosis and in the urine from one cow with spontaneous aspergillosis. It is concluded that detection of galactomannan in ser um and the 18 kDa antigen in urine may be used as an aid for the diagn osis of disseminated bovine aspergillosis with the exception of placen tal and probably gastrointestinal localization.