Comparison of two anticoagulants for production of antigens of Cowdria ruminantium in neutrophils

Abstract

Ethylene diamine tetra-acetate (EDTA) and lithium heparin were used comparatively as anticoagulants for blood obtained from goats clinically infected with Cowdria ruminantium. Neutrophils were extracted from the blood and cultured for the production of heartwater antigen. EDTA proved superior to heparin in terms of the recovery rate and the better separation of neutrophils from other leucocytes. The antigen produced was tested in the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and proved to be of good quality. Production of antigen slides by this method is recommended for moderately well-equipped laboratories in heartwater-endemic areas.