Demonstration of anti-nuclear antibodies in fowl sera by immunofluorescence.
The occurrence of anti-nuclear antibodies in fowl sera is described. The anti-nuclear activity was demonstrated by immunofluorescence in a small percentage (3.9%) of the sera tested. The nuclei of cultured fowl and turkey cells were stained by anti-nuclear serum whereas the nuclei of several mammalian tissues were not. Staining of chicken kidney cell nuclei by anti-nuclear serum conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate was blocked by unconjugated anti-nuclear serum but not by serum without anti-nuclear activity indicating the specificity of the reaction. The possible confusion between anti-nuclear staining and specific viral staining is discussed, along with the possible association of anti-nuclear factors with disease in birds.
Adair
B M
BM
Department of Agriculture, Veterinary Research Laboratories, Belfast, N. Ireland.
Calvert
V M
VM