ABSTRACT: Populations of both IgM and IgG antibodies were induced in the serum of cane toads Bufo marinus by immunisation with the T-dependent antigen ovalbumin, and then purified by molecular sieving and ion-exchange chromatography. Antisera against purified IgG were prepared in rabbits and sheep and used in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) to study the kinetics of the humoral response against the model antigen in the cane toad. The applications of ELISA in the study of the seroepidemiology of putative cane toad pathogens such as ranaviruses and Mucor amphibiorum are discussed.

KEY WORDS: Bufo marinus . Immunology . Antibodies . ELISA . Serology . Disease . Amphibian

Published in DAO Vol. 26, No. 1 (1996) on July 18
ISSN: 0177-5103. Copyright © Inter-Research, Oldendorf/Luhe, 1996