scholarly journals Retrospective Study on the Occurrence of Antibodies against Coxiella burnetii in Dogs from Central Italy

Pathogens ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1068
Author(s):  
Valentina Virginia Ebani

Coxiella burnetii, a cause of infection in humans and several animal species, is transmitted through inhalations and oral route but also tick bites. Its spreading in ruminants has been largely investigated, whereas data about the occurrence of this infection in canine population are scanty. In this retrospective study, blood serum samples of 516 dogs were tested by indirect immunofluorescence assay to detect antibodies against C. burnetii; 42 (8.13%) were positive with titers ranging from 1:64 to 1:512. The highest seroprevalences were detected in dogs aged > 5 years, employed in hunting activity and living in a peri-urban/rural environment. Diagnosis for C. burnetii infection should be always carried out in bitches with reproductive disorders. Moreover, in view of the zoonotic impact of this infection, asymptomatic dogs exposed to ticks’ bites and/or to contact with infected farm animals should be checked, too.

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1842
Author(s):  
Valentina Virginia Ebani ◽  
Simona Nardoni ◽  
Michela Maestrini ◽  
Stefania Perrucci ◽  
Francesca Mancianti

Asymptomatic cats often harbor pathogens, some of which have not been largely investigated in feline populations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of antibodies against Rickettsia conorii, Rickettsia felis, Rickettsia typhi, Neospora caninum, Bartonella henselae and Toxoplasma gondii in cats from Tuscany. Ninety-five blood serum samples, previously collected, were analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence assay. Fifty-six (58.94%) cats had antibodies to at least one investigated pathogen: 28 (29.47%) cats were positive for B. henselae, 17 (17.89%) for R. felis, 14 (14.73%) for R. conorii, 14 (14.73%) for T. gondii, 2 (2.1%) for N. caninum. No cats were positive for R. typhi. Positive reactions to two or more pathogens were detected in 18 (18.94%) cats. The occurrence of antibodies against these microorganisms suggests that cats, even though asymptomatic, may be infected by pathogens, often zoonotic, and thus may be a source of infections for other animals and humans.


2013 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arielle Nunes Morais ◽  
Marlos Gonçalves Sousa ◽  
Luciana Regina Meireles ◽  
Norival Kesper Jr. ◽  
Eufrosina Setsu Umezawa

The present study analyzed serum samples from 111 male and female dogs of various ages from the municipality of Araguaína in the State of Tocantins, Brazil. Serological diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) was initially performed at the Central Laboratory (Laboratório Central – LACEN) of Araguaína, resulting in 61 positive samples by an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IIFA) (≥1:40) and 50 non-reactive samples. The same samples were analyzed at the São Paulo Institute of Tropical Medicine (Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo – IMTSP) by an enzyme-linked-immunosorbent assay (ELISA), resulting in 57 positive samples (51.35%) and 54 negative samples (48.64%). The Kappa coefficient of agreement between the tests was 0.74. The serum samples were also subjected to a diagnostic assay for Trypanosoma cruzi(Trypomastigote Excreted/Secreted Antigens -TESA-blot) that detected five suspect animals; three of those animals were positive for leishmaniasis by ELISA but negative by IIFA. These findings suggest that the canine population of Araguaína may be simultaneously infected withLeishmania chagasi and T. cruzi. The results obtained demonstrate the difficulty of using serology to detect CVL, thus emphasizing the necessity for a reference test to diagnose CVL, particularly in regions where the infection is endemic.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jairo Alfonso Mendoza-Roldan ◽  
Giovanni Benelli ◽  
Marcos Antonio Bezerra-Santos ◽  
Viet-Linh Nguyen ◽  
Giuseppe Conte ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Canine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) associated to ticks are among the most important health issues affecting dogs. In Italy, Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma spp., Rickettsia conorii and Borrelia burgdorferi (s.l.) have been studied in both healthy canine populations and those clinically ill with suspected CVBDs. However, little information is currently available on the overall prevalence and distribution of these pathogens in the country. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and distribution of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) in clinically suspect dogs from three Italian macro areas during a 15-year period (2006–2020). Methods A large dataset (n = 21,992) of serological test results for selected TBPs in three macro areas in Italy was analysed using a Chi-square test to evaluate the associations between the categorical factors (i.e. macro area, region, year, sex and age) and a standard logistic regression model (significance set at P = 0.05). Serological data were presented as annual and cumulative prevalence, and distribution maps of cumulative positive cases for TBPs were generated. Results Of the tested serum samples, 86.9% originated from northern (43.9%) and central (43%) Italy. The majority of the tests was requested for the diagnosis of E. canis (47%; n = 10,334), followed by Rickettsia spp. (35.1%; n = 7725), B. burgdorferi (s.l.) (11.6%; n = 2560) and Anaplasma spp. (6.2%; n = 1373). The highest serological exposure was recorded for B. burgdorferi (s.l.) (83.5%), followed by Rickettsia spp. (64.9%), Anaplasma spp. (39.8%) and E. canis (28.7%). The highest number of cumulative cases of Borrelia burgdorferi (s.l.) was recorded in samples from Tuscany, central Italy. Rickettsia spp. was more prevalent in the south and on the islands, particularly in dogs on Sicily older than 6 years, whereas Anaplasma spp. was more prevalent in the north and E. canis more prevalent in the south and on the islands. Conclusions The results of this study highlight the high seroprevalence and wide distribution of the four TBPs in dogs with clinically suspected CVBDs from the studied regions of Italy. The very high seroprevalence of B. burgdorferi (s.l.) exemplifies a limitation of this study, given the use of clinically suspect dogs and the possibility of cross-reactions when using serological tests. The present research provides updated and illustrative information on the seroprevalence and distribution of four key TBPs, and advocates for integrative control strategies for their prevention. Grapic abstract


Author(s):  
K. Albrecht ◽  
J. Lotz ◽  
L. Frommer ◽  
K. J. Lackner ◽  
G. J. Kahaly

Abstract Purpose Vitamin D (VitD) is a pleiotropic hormone with effects on a multitude of systems and metabolic pathways. Consequently, the relevance of a sufficiently high VitD serum level becomes self-evident. Methods A rapid immunofluorescence assay designed for the point-of-care measurement of serum VitD3 solely was tested. Inter- and intra-assay validation, double testing and result comparison with a standardized laboratory method were performed. Results An overall linear correlation of r = 0.89 (Pearson, 95% CI 0.88–0.92, p < 0.01) between the point of care and the conventional reference assay was registered. Accuracy and precision were of special interest at cut-points (10 ng/ml [mean deviation 1.7 ng/ml, SD 1.98 ng/ml, SE 0.16 ng/ml], 12 ng/ml [MD 0.41, SD 1.89, SE 0.19] and 30 ng/ml [MD − 1.11, SD 3.89, SE 0.35]). Only a slight deviation was detected between the two assays when using fresh (r = 0.91, 95% CI 0.86–0.94, p < 0.01) and frozen serum samples (r = 0.86, 0.82–0.89, p < 0.01). Results remained steady when samples were frozen several times. Inter- and intra-assay validation according to the CLSI protocol as well as multiuser testing showed stable results. Conclusion This novel, innovative, and controlled study indicates that the evaluated rapid point of care VitD assay is reliable, accurate, and suited for clinical practice.


2002 ◽  
Vol 4 (12) ◽  
pp. 1209-1215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Penelopie Koraka ◽  
Herve Zeller ◽  
Matthias Niedrig ◽  
Albert D.M.E Osterhaus ◽  
Jan Groen

1998 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 405-408 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Loppi ◽  
Ettore Putortì ◽  
Chiara Signorini ◽  
Sara Fommei ◽  
Stergios A. Pirintsos ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (164) ◽  
pp. 47-61
Author(s):  
T.N. MISK ◽  
T. EL-SHERRY ◽  
N.A. MISK

2014 ◽  
Vol 142 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 79-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bogdan Arsic ◽  
Ana Gligic ◽  
Elizabeta Ristanovic ◽  
Branislav Lako ◽  
Aleksandar Potkonjak ◽  
...  

Introduction. Ehrlichiosis is a bacterial zoonosis transmitted by hematophagous arthropods - ticks. In humans, it occurs as monocytic, granulocytic, and ewingii ehrlichiosis. Pathological process is based on parasitic presence of Ehrlichia organisms within peripheral blood cells - monocytes and granulocytes. Case Outline. Fifty-two year old patient was admitted to hospital due to high fever of over 40?C that lasted two days, accompanied with chills, muscle aches, malaise, loss of appetite, headache, confusion, breathing difficulties, and mild dry cough. The history suggested tick bite that occurred seven days before the onset of disease. Doxycycline was introduced and administered for 14 days, causing the disease to subside. Indirect immunofluorescence assay was used to analyze three serum samples obtained from this patient for Ehrlichia chaffeensis antibodies, and peripheral blood smear was evaluated for the presence of Ehrlichia and Ehrlichia aggregation into morulae. Conclusion. Ehrlichiosis should be considered in each case where there is a history of tick bite together with the clinical picture (high fever, chills, muscle aches, headache, generalized weakness and malaise, and possible maculopapular rash). The presence of Ehrlichia chaffeensis antibodies was confirmed in a patient with the history of tick bite, appropriate clinical picture and indirect immunofluorescence assay. This confirmed the presence of human monocytotropic ehrlichiosis, a disease that is uncommonly identified in our country.


2019 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 48-52
Author(s):  
D.N. Latfullin ◽  
◽  
R.M. Akhmadeev ◽  
N.R. Miftahov ◽  
Kh.N. Makaev ◽  
...  

Rabies control programs include preventive immunization of farm and domestic animals, catching stray dogs and cats, oral vaccination of wild animals, and measures to control the number of the wildlife. Rabies in ruminants is a deadlock in the rabies epizootic situation. Rabies in ruminant animals is the result of the epizootic process in wild animals of the area, even if the process is not recorded. The more than doubled decrease in the number of cattle the European part of Russia saw in recent years resulted in a decrease in cases of rabies in these animals. Vaccination forms the animal group that prevents the further spread of infection, and further reduces morbidity. The paper presents the data on the rabies epizootic situation on the territory of Tatarstan in 2018, preventive measures against the epizootic situation among domestic, wild and farm animals. Also, it presents laboratory results of blood 51 DOI: 10.31563/1684-7628-2019-51-3-48-52 Вестник БГАУ / Vestnik BSAU, 2019, № 3 serum samples in the cattle vaccinated against rabies in some areas of Tatarstan and border areas of Bashkortostan. The study results indicate that both regions take effective measures against rabies. The incidence of rabies in farm animals is minimized due to a large number of vaccinated animals, and preventive measures taken against rabies among wild animals. Revaccination of cattle is needed in a number of areas to ensure better protection of animals.


2011 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-24
Author(s):  
Lazem H. Al-Taie

Back ground: Toxoplasmosis is an important zoonosis that causes economic losses in animal herds due to abortion and stillbirth as well as changes in the reproductive and neural system of susceptible animals . Objective: The aims of the present study is to determination the prevalence of T. gondii in farm animals ( sheep& goat)of both genders and different ages in Sulaimani province by using two serological tests (ELISA and LAT). Methods: Blood samples were collected from farm animals ,142 sheep and 46 goats , of different sexes and ages. Tow different serological tests ,ELISA and LAT for qualitative determination of T. gondii antibody titer in sheep and goats serum samples. Results: The prevalence rate in sheep was 73 (51.7 %) and 82 (57 %) , and 21 (54.6 %) and 25 (54.35 %) in goats ,by ELISA and LAT respectively. The prevalence of toxoplasmosis was highest in age group 7-9 (66.6%) in sheep in compares’ with other age groups. There was no significant differences between both spp.and tow test. Conclusion: Statistical results show no significant differences between both tests (ELISA &LAT) at (P ≥ 0.05).The prevalence of toxoplasmosis was increased proportionally with the age of animals, while gender has no effect on the prevalent rate .


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