THE METHOD OF RADIAL HEMOLYSIS FOR THE DETECTION OF ANTIBODIES TO ENCEPHALITOZOON-CUNICULI ANTIGENS

The method of radial hemolysis for the early detection of antibodies t o Encephalitozoon cuniculi antigens was tested in rabbits. Spores obta ined from tissue culture were used as the antigen. The method for dete rmining antibodies by indirect fluorescence was used to check the spec ificity of radial hemolysis. Twelve rabbits with dubious and 30 with p ositive reactions were found by the method of radial hemolysis. The ti tres 1:64 and 1:128 were found in 18 (12 dubious and 6 positive by rad ial hemolysis) and 24 positive rabbits respectively by the method of i ndirect immunofluorescence. The results of our tests indicate that rad ial hemolysis is suitable for use in the screening of encephalitozoono sis in rabbits.