Preparation of a high titre Salmonella abortusovis H-antigen and antiserum and improvement of the microagglutination test.

Serological diagnosis of small ruminant abortions due to Salmonella abortusovis (S.a.o) was improved by using modified procedures to produce high titre H-antigens and anti-H serum. While the titres of the two standard antigens were 1:8 and 1:20, both modified antigens had a titre of 1:50. Similarly, the use of adjuvanted and non adjuvanted antigens for the production of anti-H hyperimmune serum resulted in a titre of 1:160,000 as compared to 1:20,000 when standard procedures were used. In addition, the slow micro-agglutination test has been modified and results can now be read within the same day.