An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of antibodies against Escherichia coli: association between indirect hemagglutination test and survival.

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was modified for detection of antibodies against the two main pathogenic serotypes of Escherichia coli: serotypes O78:K80 and O2:K1. The ELISA was a more sensitive and repeatable test than the indirect hemagglutination test (IHT), which is a common method for detecting antibodies against E. coli. Cross-reactivity between the two strains was measured by reacting antisera of each serotype against homologous and heterologous antigens. The results suggest that aside from similar determinants expressed by the two serotypes, serotype O2:K1 expresses more strain-specific determinants than does O78:K80. Comparison of mean antibody titers of immunized chicks by IHT and ELISA along the primary response revealed that during the first 15 days after immunization with inactivated E. coli, the titers in both tests were parallel. After 15 days post-immunization, antibody titers measured by IHT decreased rapidly, whereas titers measured by ELISA decreased only slightly. In addition, a higher correlation was found between titers detected by ELISA and survival through challenge with E. coli than between titers detected with IHT and survival through challenge. The results suggest that the ELISA is a better test for detection of antibody in flocks suspected of being infected with E. coli.