Patent ID: 7074894

Claim:
An isolated antigen prepared by a method comprising: (a) providing a sample of a Mycoplasma, (b) providing an antibody probe including at least one antibody against the Mycoplasma , said at least one antibody being produced by a method comprising (i) providing a biological sample taken after a mammal has been challenged with the Mycoplasma or an extract comprising the Mycoplasma at an infection or lesion site, said biological sample being taken from the infection or lesion site or an area close to the infection or lesion site, wherein the biological sample is taken from the mammal within about 2 to 5 days after the mammal has been challenged with the Mycoplasma or extract; (ii) isolating antibody producing cells from the biological sample; (iii) culturing the isolated cells in vitro in suitable culture medium; and (iv) harvesting the at least one antibody from said cultured cells; (c) probing the Mycoplasma sample with the antibody probe to detect at least one antigen; and (d) isolating the at least one antigen detected.