AN ANTIGEN CAPTURE ELISA TEST USING MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODIES FOR THE DETECTION OF MYCOPLASMA-CALIFORNICUM IN MILK

The use of monoclonal antibodies to detect Mycoplasma californicum was investigated in an antigen capture microtitre format. The finalised test was highly specific and no cross-reactions were detectable with any of the mastitis associated mycoplasma or bacterial antigens tested. Using a concentration step involving centrifugation, the sensitivity of the test could be improved from 105-107 to 103-105 colony forming units per ml with pure broth cultures, and from 107 to at least 106 colony forming units per ml in milk samples from two experimentally infected cows. The antigen detected was partially identified by immunoblotting, which demonstrated two polypeptides of 40 and 46 kD. © 1990.