Diagnosis of Pertussis by the Fluorescent-Antibody Method

Abstract

A PREVIOUS report¹ on the identification of Bordetella pertussis in nasopharyngeal swabs by the fluorescent-antibody technic demonstrated the practicability of this method for rapid and precise diagnosis in 65 patients with pertussis. This report presents our experience with this test in a larger number of patients.Materials and MethodsAntiserum against B. pertussis was produced in rabbits and the globulin fraction conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate by the method previously outlined¹ and tested for specificity of staining with stock cultures of pertussis, staphylococci, pneumococci, streptococci and Haemophilus influenzae. Cross-staining of staphylococci was eliminated by absorption of the antiserum with suspensions . . .