Measurement of antibody to Dermatophilus congolensis in sera from cattle in the west of Scotland by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Serum antibody titres to Dermatophilus congolensis demonstrated by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in young steers and in adult cows from an Ayrshire herd showed a bimodal distribution and provided evidence of subclinical infection. Very high titres detected in sera from crossbred Galloway steers were indicative of recent or existing infection which may have been masked by concurrent ringworm. The ELISA is a sensitive and technically simple method which enables sera to be screened for evidence of infection by D congolensis which may otherwise pass unrecognised. Such infections may be of importance not only in the epidemiology of the disease in farm animals but also as a potential source of infection for man and his domestic pets.