Measurement of IgG concentration in ovine fetal fluids: a useful diagnostic test.
The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Oregon State University received 172 aborted ovine fetuses during the 1985-1987 lambing seasons; from 120 of these, body fluids were evaluated for IgG levels. Fifty-two (43%) of the fetal fluids had immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels greater than 15 mg/dl. Forty-five (87%) of the fluids with elevated IgG levels were confirmed or presumed toxoplasma or chlamydia abortions. A mean fetal fluid IgG concentration of 111.5 +/- 78 mg/dl was found for the 26 toxoplasma abortions; for the 19 chlamydia abortions, a mean IgG concentration of 109 +/- 91 mg/dl was found. Antibody titers equal to or greater than 1:40 against Toxoplasma gondii were detected in 23 fetal fluids. Fetal fluid IgG concentration less than 15 mg/dl was found to be associated with bacterial organisms (i.e., Campylobacter sp.) as the confirmed or presumed cause of abortion. These results suggest that measurement of fetal fluid IgG concentration is a useful, supportive diagnostic test in determining the cause of ovine abortion, and should be included as a routine laboratory procedure for ovine abortion diagnosis.
Hedstrom
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O
Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis 97331-4802.
Sonn
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R
Dearing
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Snyder
S P
SP
Lassen
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D000034:Abortion, Veterinary / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis; D002167:Campylobacter / Q000276:immunology; D002169:Campylobacter Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D002691:Chlamydophila psittaci / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis*; D007919:Leptospira / Q000276:immunology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000175:diagnosis
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D007074:Immunoglobulin G