Investigation of immunoperoxidase technique in smears prepared from vaginal secretions in use of early diagnosis of listerial abortions in cattle

Abstract

Listeriosis is a sporadic disease of ruminants that causes meningoencephalitis, septicemia and abortion. In this study, the usefulness of immunoperoxidase technique was investigated in early diagnosis of cattle listerial abortions. For this purpose, 96 smears prepared from vaginal swab samples that were collected from aborting cattle were stained for L. monocytogenes by immunoperoxidase technique. Presence of the agent in vaginal swab samples were investigated by bacteriological culture technique and the results were compared to that of immunoperoxidase technique. A total of 7 samples, 4 out 5 bacteriological culture positive smear samples and 3 out of 91 bacteriological culture negative smear samples, were detected to be positive by immunoperoxidase technique. Compared to bacteriological culture technique, sensitivity and specificity of immunoperoxidase technique was calculated as 80% and 96.7%, respectively. In conclusion, immunoperoxidase technique in smears prepared from vaginal swabs can be used in early diagnosis of listerial abortions since it can give results the same day samples collected, however the technique must be supported by bacteriological culture technique which is performed for bacterial isolation and identification of the agent.

Keywords

• listeriosis
• abortion
• cattle
• immunoperoxidase