Abstract
An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to measure Corynebacterium kutscheri antibodies in mice and rats was developed. Seven c. kutscheri isolates showed considerable serological relationship, but Japanese isolates differed from the British isolates. The ELISA appeared specific since c. kutscheri antigen did not react with antisera against 8 heterologous coryneform species. Antibodies to c. kutscheri were to a limited extent absorbed by autologous and homologous antigen, but not at all by the heterologous coryneform species.
In naturally infected wild Rattus norvegicus and laboratory NA rats, the ELISA demonstrated high ODs to c. kutscheri.
