The use of automated complement fixation techniques in the Brucellosis Eradication Scheme

Authors: Liberona HE, Timbs DV, Moxham JW
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 26, Issue 3, pp 52-56, Mar 1978
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Cattle, Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant
Subject Terms: Bacterial, Biosecurity, Disease/defect, Infectious disease, Diagnostic procedures, Disease control/eradication, Epidemiology, Notifiable organisms/exotic disease, Reproduction, Zoonosis, Public health
Article class: Scientific Article

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Abstract: Automation of the complement fixation test for diagnosing Brucella abortus infection in cattle has allowed this difficult, time-consuming and labour-intensive but most specific test to he used for large scale serodiagnosis in New Zealand`s Brucellosis Eradication Scheme. The automated test has the advantages of eliminating much human error, of improving accuracy and of reducing the costs of labour and reagents. The Auto-Analyzer performs a warm complement fixation test at a single serum dilution. Each batch of 39 serum samples is compared with a standard positive control serum with a complement fixing antibody activity equivalent to 1/30 of the second International Standard Ani-Brucella abortus Serum. All sera with an antibody level equal to, or greater than, the standard serum are regarded as positive to the test. A titre for serum tested by the automated method is not obtained, and positive sera that prozone strongly may be recorded as negative. Where necessary, the semi-automated microtitre complement fixation test is used to delineate titres and the status of doubtful automated CFT results. The automated and microtitre complement fixation tests use the same reagents; only relative concentrations differ.

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