Fluorescent antibody identification and detection of the Corynebacterium causing kidney disease of salmonids

An indirect fluorescent antibody technique (FAT) has been developed for serological identification, diagnosis of kidney disease (KD), and detection of subclinical infections of KD. Rabbit or goat antikidney disease serum and appropriately labeled immunoglobulin was found to be specific for the KD bacterium. The technique was superior to examination of gram-stained smears for detection of small numbers of KD bacteria. The test requires approximately 2 h.