The use of the non-specific immunological factors, conglutinin, immunoconglutinin and heterophile antibody, in the serodiagnosis of bovine brucellosis.

The changes in the titres of immunoconglutinin (IK), conglutinin and heterophile antibodies were measured in calves vaccinated with Br. abortus Strain 19. The IK titres rose rapidly following vaccination but returned to normal within ten weeks. A survey of the sera of over 300 cattle showed no significant correlation between the Brucella STA titre and any of these "non-specific'' indicators. It is concluded that they are of little assistance in the serodiagnosis of brucellosis.