Application of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of Brucella antigens in vaginal discharge of cows.
An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for detecting Brucella abortus. Carbodiimide cyanamide was used as an antigen-coupling agent and NH4Cl was used to neutralize residual active charges present on the cuvette surface. Suitable ELISA reactions were observed in vaginal swabs placed in phosphate-buffered saline solution. The ELISA described may be useful under controlled laboratory conditions for detecting B abortus-infected cows shedding bacteria in vaginal secretions.