A comparative immunohistochemical method employing avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex and using polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies in paraffin-embedded sections was tested for its ability to detect antigens which cause mycobacteriosis in swordtail Xiphophorus helleri, a freshwater fish. By using the polyclonal antibodies anti-Mycobacterium bovis (BCG strain) and anti-M. paratuberculosis, we were able to find the mycobacterial antigens in tissues of the fish. The monoclonal anti-M. avium detected a positive reaction only in cells of kidney granulomas. The use of bleaching to eliminate confusion between melanin and chromogen end-product during the diagnosis of fish mycobacteriosis was also studied.
Fish mycobacteriosis . Swordtail
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