Detection of Leptospires in Experimentally Infected Mice, Using Fluorescent Antibody Technique

Seuk, H.B.; Seo, I.S.

Korean Journal of Veterinary Research 1973;13(1):39-46.

¹Institute of Veterinary Research, Office of Rural Development
²Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture Seoul National University

형광항체법(螢光抗體法)을 이용(利用)한 실험적(實驗的) 감염(感染) 마우스에서의 Leptospira균(菌)의 검출(檢出)

석호봉¹, 서익수²

¹농촌진흥청 가축위생연구소
²서울대학교 농과대학 수의학과

Abstract

Cultural method, dark field microscopy & fluorescent antibody technique were compared for their sensitivity of the detection of leptospires from experimentally infected mice. Two groups of mice were infected with L. icterohemorrhagiae (M20) and L. australis (Ballico), and the infected blood, urine and a number of organs were subjected to the bacterial isolation. The results obtained were summarized as follows: 1. L. icterohemorrhagiae (M20) and L. australis (Ballico) in blood, urine and various tissues of experimentally infected mice were detected with a negrigible non specificity, by the fluorescent antibody technique. 2. The fluorescent antibody technique, as applied to detection of leptospires in blood, urine and various infected tissue, proved to be better than cultural method and dark-field microscopy. 3. Early detection of leptospires by fluorescent antibody technique were possible in blood at 2 days after inoculation, whereas detection of organisms in liver, spleen, lung and kidney were observed later. By means of fluorescent antibody technique, the detection of leptospires in kidney and urine was possible up to 34 days postinoculation, whereas those in other parts were impossible. 4. Fluorescent antibody reaction of leptospires were highly specific to homologous antigen rather than to heterologous one. 5. Fluorescent antibody technique may be of value in the application for the demonstration of leptospira from clinical specimens.