Investigation of aberrant positive reactions to serological tests for bovine brucellosis

Fifty cattle thought not to be infected with Brucella abortus but giving persistent positive serological reactions, were investigated. It was concluded that only one of these was infected since exhaustive bacteriological examination produced only one isolate of B. abortus (strain 19) and none of the herds of origin was subsequently shown to be infected with brucellosis. Antibody was detected in stifle joint fluid of 15 cattle, which may have been stimulated by the presence of Strain 19 antigen that persisted in collagenous tissue long after the viable organisms had been eliminated.