title: Transient enhancement of the serum antibody response to Brucella abortus strain 19 in cattle treated with levamisole.
abstract: Two experiments were done on 57 steers. These cattle were allotted to 8 groups (4 groups/experiment) and vaccinated with 1 to 3 X 10(9) colony-forming units of Brucella abortus strain 19. Cattle in 3 of the 4 groups/experiment were given 6 mg of levamisole/kg, subcutaneously, either at the time of vaccination (day 0), 7 days later, or at both times. Serum antibody titers to B abortus were measured sequentially for 28 days in experiment 1 and for 56 days in experiment 2, using the card test, Rivanol test, complement-fixation test, fluorometric immunoassay, and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In general, the highest mean antibody titers, as determined by all serologic tests, occurred in steers treated with levamisole at 7 days after vaccination or in those treated at the time of vaccination and 7 days later. By the card test on day 56, there was a significantly (P less than 0.05) greater number of seropositive cattle among those given levamisole 7 days after seropositive cattle among those given strain 19 alone. Simultaneous administration of strain 19 and levamisole did not alter antibody responses to B abortus.
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000276:immunology; D002003:Brucella abortus / Q000276:immunology*; D002007:Brucellosis, Bovine / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002417:Cattle; D007978:Levamisole / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D007978:Levamisole