This causes hemoglobin to seep out into the barberpole's digestive system. In test tube studies, the hemolytic proteins completely destroyed sheep red blood cells within 90 minutes after exposure. Researchers want to purify the proteins so their chemical structures can be ascertained. This raises the prospect for developing antibodies to help animals stave off nematode infection and ease the need for anthelmintic drugs. A producer with 100 cows can expect some 50 to 80 cases of mastitis each year.
Antibiotics are often ineffective.
Producers can't sell milk from treated cows for a few days. To find a more natural alternative, the ARS scientist turned to the bifunctional, or coupled, antibodies. One end of the new antibody hooks to the mastitis-causing bacterium, Staphylococcus aureus. This triggers the neutrophil to release a lethal spray of hydrogen peroxide. It could take several years to ready the technology.