A monoclonal antibody-based latex bead agglutination test for the detection of Bordetella avium

The purpose of this study was to develop a rapid method to distinguish Bordetella avium from closely related Bordetella avium-like and B. bronchiseptica bacteria. A monoclonal antibody of the IgM isotype was produced in Balb/c mice against live B. avium strain 75. The monoclonal antibody, in the form of ascites fluid, was added to a bovine serum albumin-glycine buffer (pH 8.6) and adsorbed to 3.03-microns-diameter latex beads. Optimum concentrations of antibody, beads, and bacteria were determined. The latex bead conjugate was tested against 40 isolates of B. avium, 24 isolates of B. avium-like bacteria, 17 isolates of B. bronchiseptica, two isolates of Alcaligenes faecalis, and several other common genera. Strong agglutination occurred with all B. avium isolates and the two isolates of A. faecalis. Weak agglutination occurred with Staphylococcus aureus and two isolates of B. bronchiseptica. There was no agglutination with any of the B. avium-like isolates. The latex bead agglutination test may be useful as an aid in the identification of B. avium when used in conjunction with other criteria.