Comparison of serum and lung extracts for surveys of wild animals for antibodies to Francisella tularensis biovar palaearctica.
A comparative study of the antibody titer against Francisella tularensis biovar palaearctica in serum and lung extract was made using different immunoassays. Samples were taken from experimentally-infected goshawks (Accipiter gentilis) and European beavers (Castor fiber), and in a field survey of wild beavers. Good accordance between the antibody titer in serum and in lung extract was found in the experimental studies. However, the antibody titer was generally one- to three-fold lower in lung extract than was the titer of serum. Results in the field survey were less reliable. Estimating antibody titer in lung extract is a practical method for surveys for antibody levels, and an alternative to serological surveys, despite lower sensitivity as compared to serum.
Mörner
T
T
Department of Wildlife Diseases, National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden.
Sandström
G
G
Mattsson
R
R
D000372:Agglutination Tests; D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild / Q000276:immunology*; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D001717:Birds; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005604:Francisella tularensis / Q000276:immunology*; D008168:Lung / Q000276:immunology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012376:Rodent Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D012377:Rodentia; D014406:Tularemia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial