title: A comparison of the potency of several Brucella allergens used to detect brucellosis in cattle.
abstract: The potency of Brucella allergens prepared from a smooth Brucella abortus strain S-99, mucoid strain Leewarden, rough strain 45/20, and rough Brucella melitensis strain B-115 was assessed. The potency of these allergens was compared with that of a standard allergen prepared from smooth Brucella abortus S-99 that efficiently detected bovine brucellosis in other studies. Eight cattle experimentally inoculated with Brucella abortus 544 were tested with the allergens 4 and 10 weeks after infection, and again 8 months after infection. All the allergens effectively detected infection but there was a clear distinction in the mean skin reactions 48 and 72 h after injection of the allergens. The skin reactions provoked by the allergens prepared from smooth or mucoid strains of Brucella were most pronounced 48 h after injection. Skin reactions provoked by allergens prepared from rough strains of Brucella were strongest 72 h after injection. Allergens prepared from smooth or mucoid Brucella strains were more potent in detecting brucellosis than those prepared from rough strains of Brucella.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bacteriology, Institute for Animal Science and Health (ID-DLO), Lelystad, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Bercovich
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dekker
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eger
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Haagsma
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D002003:Brucella abortus / Q000276:immunology*; D017347:Brucella melitensis / Q000276:immunology*; D002007:Brucellosis, Bovine / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D002417:Cattle; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012882:Skin Tests / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial