The direct fluorescent antibody test for detection of Brucella abortus in bovine abortion material

The direct fluorescent antibody test was assessed for detection of Brucella abortus in bovine abortion material. Br. abortus organisms could be readily detected as characteristic intra-cellular clumps, in smears stained with fluorescent antibody. Counterstaining with Evans Blue was necessary to suppress tissue auto-fluorescence. The method was specific and enabled brucella infection to be differentiated, inter alia, from Q-fever infection.