Serum concentration of a bovine mannan-binding protein reactive with a Ra chemotype strain of Salmonella typhimurium: no significant changes associated with mastitis.

The serum concentration of a bovine mannan-binding protein reactive with a Ra chemotype strain of Salmonella Typhimurium in sera from cows with or without mastitis were determined by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. From the results obtained for 10 healthy cows aged 2 to 7 years, mean +/- SD serum concentrations of MBP in bovine sera were 77.5 +/- 33.1 micrograms/ml. Concentrations in 7 healthy heifer calves aged 6 months were 52.2 +/- 10.2 micrograms/ml, whereas those in 7 healthy bullocks 65.8 +/- 21.8 micrograms/ml. Concentrations in 4 cows aged 4 to 7 years with mastitis were slightly lower (34 to 72 micrograms/ml). After recovery, the serum concentrations rose to the normal concentrations in healthy cows. These findings indicate that the serum concentrations of bovine MBP decrease during mastitis, suggesting that bovine MBP may not be an acute phase reactant.