Detection of antibodies to Anaplasma marginale by an improved enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with sodium dodecyl sulfate-disrupted antigen

Sensitivities of two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) with particulate and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-disrupted Anaplasma marginale antigen were compared. The quotient of positive reference sera divided by the absorbance quotient of a negative reference serum at identical dilution was termed the signal-to-noise ratio. Optimal signal-to-noise ratios were dependent on both pretreatment of antigen and antigen concentration. SDS disruption of anaplasmal antigen resulted in a markedly improved signal-to-noise ratio of ELISA compared with ELISA with untreated antigen at identical antigen and serum dilutions. This represented higher sensitivity and lower background absorbance of the ELISA with disrupted antigen. SDS-disrupted A. marginale antigen was standardized by protein determination, and antigen, as well as precoated microtiter wells, was stored frozen without apparent loss of antigenic properties. ELISA results were in agreement with results of positive and negative control sera tested by the complement fixation test or by light microscopy Anaplasma diagnosis in Giemsa-stained blood films.