Antibody coated bacteria in urine sediment from cattle infected with Corynebacterium renale.

Using the fluorescent antibody test, the presence of antibody-coated bacteria in 10 out of 17 urine sediment samples from cattle infected with Corynebacterium renale is described. These antibodies were mainly of the immunoglobulin class IgG, and to a lesser extent IgA. This finding is characteristic for infections of the upper urinary tract (pyelonephritis). In seven samples no antibody coating of the bacterial surface was detected. In these cases an infection of the lower urinary tract (cystitis) is suggested.