Leucocyte adherence inhibition: a microassay demonstrating antigen recognition in cattle

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Immunology
• Dermatology
• Cellular Immunology

Background:

• Delayed hypersensitivity is a crucial immune response in cattle.
• Assessing cellular immunity in calves often requires complex methods.
• Developing simple, reliable diagnostic tools for bovine immunology is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the development of delayed hypersensitivity in calves sensitized with dinitrochlorobenzene.
• To evaluate the efficacy of an in vitro leucocyte adherence inhibition test for detecting this hypersensitivity in cattle.

Main Methods:

• Calves were sensitized via skin application of dinitrochlorobenzene.
• Delayed hypersensitivity lesions were observed at application sites.
• Leucocytes were collected from sensitized calves.
• An in vitro leucocyte adherence inhibition microtest was performed using dinitrobenzenesulphonate.

Main Results:

• Sensitized calves exhibited delayed hypersensitivity lesions 9-14 days post-application.
• Leucocytes from sensitized calves showed positive reactivity in the leucocyte adherence inhibition test.
• The microtest demonstrated simplicity, speed, reproducibility, and statistical robustness.

Conclusions:

• The leucocyte adherence inhibition microtest is a viable method for assessing cell-mediated immunity in cattle.
• This assay has potential applications in various fields of bovine immunology.
• The test provides a valuable tool for future research and diagnostics in cattle immune responses.