Crossed immunoelectrophoresis of fungal antigens in tissues as a means of diagnosing systemic aspergillosis and zygomycosis in cattle.

A novel method for diagnosing bovine aspergillosis and zygomycosis is described. Rabbit hyperimmune antisera raised against somatic antigens of Aspergillus fumigatus and Absidia corymbifera were used in crossed immunoelectrophoresis with supernatants from disintegrated tissues from acute necrohaemorrhagic mycotic lesions from cattle. The method specifically identified 4 of 5 lesions with aspergillosis and 2 of 5 lesions with zygomycosis. One lesion dually infected with aspergillosis and zygomycosis was negative. The method worked with unabsorbed sera, was specific, and required only standard electrophoretic equipment. It can therefore supplement chemical detection of fungi in tissues in the diagnosis of bovine aspergillosis and zygomycosis.