Detection of specific antibodies against strains of enteropathogenic escherichia coli (EPEC) in the rabbit by an elisa using 94-kilodalton proteins.

Abstract

A protein band of 94 kilodalton specífic for EPEC strains, was detected and partially purified by elution electrophoresis. The protein band was used in an ELISA at 1 µg per well. Sera were taken every fortnight after experimental infections with six enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) strains belonging to the pathotypes 1+/0109, 2+/0128, 2+/0132, 3-/015, 4+/026 and 8+/0103, and with three non pathogenic E. coli strains. Furthermore, sera were collected from slaughter rabbits of commercial rabbitries with known EPEC status. The two groups of sera were tested at a dilution of 1 :625 with the ELISA based on the 94-kilodalton proteins. The serological results were compared with the EPEC status of fecal samples of the corresponding animals. The test offers a specificity of 73 % and a sensitivity of 96 % (P<0,05).