scholarly journals Serological and Molecular Evaluation of Leishmania infantum Infection in Stray Cats in a Nonendemic Area in Northern Italy

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Spada ◽  
Daniela Proverbio ◽  
Antonella Migliazzo ◽  
Alessandra Della Pepa ◽  
Roberta Perego ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Leishmania Infantum ◽  
Antibody Test ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Stray Cats ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Antibody Titers ◽  
Immunofluorescence Antibody Test ◽  
Immunofluorescence Antibody

Infection by Leishmania species is increasing worldwide. It was hypothesized recently that cats act as a secondary reservoir for Leishmania infection. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of Leishmania infantum antibodies and DNA in blood samples collected in a sample of stray cats in metropolitan area of Milan in northern Italy, which is a nonendemic area for leishmaniasis. An indirect immunofluorescence antibody test for L. infantum showed that 59 of 233 cats (25.3%) were seroreactive, 38 samples (16.3%) had antibody titers of 1 : 40, 15 (6.4%) had antibody titers of 1 : 80, and 6 (2.6%) had antibody titers of 1 : 160. Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) seropositive status was statistically associated with seroreactivity to L. infantum (P=0.01) as shown by univariate and multivariate logistic regression (P=0.0098; OR = 7.34). All blood samples that were tested using real-time PCR were negative for parasite DNA. These results were surprising, since no autochthonous human or canine cases of leishmaniasis have ever been reported in this region of northern Italy. It is possible that this high seroreactivity to L. infantum could be due to cross-reaction with antigens from other parasites. Additional studies that include parasite isolation are needed to clarify our findings on feline leishmaniasis in this region.

scholarly journals Occurrences of anti-Toxoplasma gondiiand anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in Barbary sheep at Curitiba zoo, southern Brazil

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 255-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivien Midori Morikawa ◽  
Cristina Kraemer Zimpel ◽  
Igor Adolfo Dexheimer Paploski ◽  
Maria do Carmo Custódio de Souza Hunold Lara ◽  
Eliana Monteforte Cassaro Villalobos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Neospora Caninum ◽  
Antibody Test ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Ammotragus Lervia ◽  
Barbary Sheep ◽  
Immunofluorescence Antibody Test ◽  
Immunofluorescence Antibody

Barbary sheep (Ammotragus lervia) have the potential to act as hosts of important infectious diseases, particularly zoonoses. Blood samples from 17 Barbary sheep at the Curitiba zoo were collected to evaluate occurrences of anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-Neospora caninum antibodies, tested using the indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT). Anti-T. gondii and anti-N. caninum antibodies were detected in 4/17 (23.5%) and 4/17 (23.5%) samples, respectively. The present study has shown that Barbary sheep at Curitiba zoo were exposed to T. gondii andN. caninum and therefore may act as intermediate hosts, spreading toxoplasmosis and neosporosis within and between species in shared areas.

scholarly journals Toward Diagnosing Leishmania infantum Infection in Asymptomatic Dogs in an Area Where Leishmaniasis Is Endemic

2009 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 337-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Otranto ◽  
P. Paradies ◽  
D. de Caprariis ◽  
D. Stanneck ◽  
G. Testini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Leishmania Infantum ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Antibody Test ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Canine Leishmaniasis ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Canine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis ◽  
Immunofluorescence Antibody Test ◽  
Immunofluorescence Antibody

ABSTRACT The most frequently used diagnostic methods were compared in a longitudinal survey with Leishmania infantum-infected asymptomatic dogs from an area of Italy where leishmaniasis is endemic. In February and March 2005, 845 asymptomatic dogs were tested by an immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT), a dipstick assay (DS), and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for L. infantum and by IFAT for Ehrlichia canis. Dogs seronegative for L. infantum were further parasitologically evaluated by microscopic examination of lymph node tissues and PCR of skin samples. A total of 204 animals both serologically and parasitologically negative for L. infantum at the first sampling were enrolled in the trial and were further examined for canine leishmaniasis (CanL) and canine monocytic ehrlichiosis in November 2005 (i.e., the end of the first sandfly season) and March 2006 and 2007 (1- and 2-year follow-ups, respectively). At the initial screening, the overall rates of L. infantum seroprevalence were 9.5% by IFAT, 17.1% by ELISA, and 9.8% by DS and the overall rate of E. canis seroprevalence was 15%. The rates of concordance between the results of IFAT and DS were almost equal, whereas the rate of concordance between the results of IFAT and DS and those of the ELISA was lower. The results of the annual incidence of Leishmania infection were variable, depending on the test employed, with the highest values registered for PCR (i.e., 5.7% and 11.4% at the 1- and 2-year follow-ups, respectively), followed by ELISA, IFAT, and DS. Over the 2 years of observation, 55 animals (i.e., 26.9%) became positive for L. infantum by one or more diagnostic tests at different follow-up times, with 12.7% showing clinical signs related to CanL, while the remaining 87.3% were asymptomatic. A diagnostic scheme for assessment of the L. infantum infection status in asymptomatic dogs is suggested.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of antibodies against Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi in horses (Equus caballus) from northern Algeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 413-419
Author(s):  
Abdelouahab Laamari ◽  
Naouelle Azzag ◽  
Safia Tennah ◽  
Salima-Yamina Derdour ◽  
Bernard China ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽  
Anaplasma Phagocytophilum ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Antibody Test ◽  
Equus Caballus ◽  
Igg Antibodies ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Granulocytic Anaplasmosis ◽  
Immunofluorescence Antibody Test ◽  
Immunofluorescence Antibody

AbstractIntroductionHorses (Equus caballus) are susceptible to tick-borne diseases. Two of them, Lyme borreliosis due to Borrelia burgdorferi and granulocytic anaplasmosis due to Anaplasma phagocytophilum were investigated in Algerian horses. The diseases have been less extensively studied in horses and results pertinent to Algeria have not been published.Material and MethodsBlood samples were obtained from 128 horses. IgG antibodies directed against Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi were detected by an indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) and ELISA. The potential effects of age, gender, breed, and health status on seropositivity were also evaluated.ResultsUsing IFAT, 28 (21.8%) and 25 (19.5%) animals were positive for B. burgdorferi and A. phagocytophilum, respectively. Using ELISA, 19 (14.8%) and 33 (25.9%) animals were positive for these bacteria.ConclusionThe study shows that horses in Algeria are exposed or co-exposed to tick-transmitted zoonotic bacterial species.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the NovaLisa™ Leishmania Infantum IgG ELISA in A Reference Diagnostic Laboratory in A Non-Endemic Country

Antibodies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christen Stensvold ◽  
Amalie Høst ◽  
Salem Belkessa ◽  
Henrik Nielsen
Keyword(s):  
Western Blot ◽  
Leishmania Infantum ◽  
Antibody Test ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Diagnostic Laboratory ◽  
Cost Effective Alternative ◽  
Immunofluorescence Antibody Test ◽  
Immunofluorescence Antibody

Anti-Leishmania antibodies may be detectable in patients with leishmaniasis. Here, we compared a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of anti-Leishmania antibodies, with an immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) that is no longer commercially available. Eighty-six serum samples from 73 patients were tested. The results obtained by the NovaLisa™ Leishmania infantum IgG ELISA, interpreted according to the instructions of the manufacturer, but with a modified cut-off for borderline positive values, were compared with the IFAT results that were already available. Moreover, Leishmania Western blot IgG results were available for 43 of the samples. The overall concordance of ELISA and IFAT was 67%. The ELISA and IFAT tests scored as 24% and 15% of the samples being positive, respectively, while 13% and 33% scored as borderline-positive, respectively. Using a Western blot (WB) as the reference, the sensitivities and specificities for the positive plus borderline-positive samples combined was 95.5% (95% confidence interval (CI), 77.2–99.9%) and 81.0% (95% CI, 58.1–94.6%) for ELISA, and 95.5% (95% CI, 77.2–99.9%) and 42.9% (95% CI, 21.8–66.0%) for IFAT, respectively. Overall, the ELISA proved to be a cost-effective alternative to the IFAT, due to its higher accuracy and specificity, and with a consequently lower number of confirmatory WB tests being required. Lastly, we also present data on the associations between seroconversion and the type of leishmaniasis.

Validation of a new immunofluorescence antibody test for the detection of Leishmania infantum infection in cats

2020 ◽  
Vol 119 (4) ◽  
pp. 1381-1386
Author(s):  
Roberta Iatta ◽  
Paolo Trerotoli ◽  
Laura Lucchese ◽  
Alda Natale ◽  
Canio Buonavoglia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Leishmania Infantum ◽  
Antibody Test ◽  
Immunofluorescence Antibody Test ◽  
Immunofluorescence Antibody

scholarly journals Prevalence of Haemoplasma Infections in Stray Cats in Northern Italy

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Spada ◽  
Daniela Proverbio ◽  
Paola Galluzzo ◽  
Alessandra Della Pepa ◽  
Giada Bagnagatti De Giorgi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Blood Donors ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Negative Association ◽  
Domestic Cats ◽  
Conventional Pcr ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Stray Cats ◽  
Stray Cat

This study investigated the prevalence of feline haemoplasma infections in a number of stray cat colonies in Milan, Northern Italy. Blood samples from 260 stray cats were evaluated, with conventional PCR, for the presence of DNA associated with Mycoplasma haemofelis (Mhf) and “Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum” (CMhm). Odd ratios (OR) were calculated to identify risk factors for haemoplasma infections. PCR was positive in 86 out of 260 subjects (33.1%), with a prevalence of 10.8% (28/260 cats) for Mhf and 22.3% (58/260 cats) for CMhm. No coinfections were registered. There were significant associations between infections and season of sampling, that is, a negative association between winter sampling and a haemoplasma positive status (OR=0.29, P=0.001), or CMhm positive status (OR=0.29, P=0.01). Haemoplasma infections are common in stray cats in Milan. Thus, domestic cats with outdoor access should be routinely monitored and treated for ectoparasites to minimize risks of disease acquisition. Moreover, as these infections are transmitted via blood, feline blood donors from this area should be screened by PCR and preferably be drawn from a population of indoor cats regularly treated for fleas.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in dogs of riverside communities of Mato Grosso Pantanal, Brazil

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 531-535 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana Yuki Rodrigues ◽  
Arleana do Bom Parto Ferreira de Almeida ◽  
Eveline da Cruz Boa Sorte ◽  
Naiani Domingos Gasparetto ◽  
Felipe Augusto Constantino Seabra da Cruz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Antibody Test ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Mato Grosso ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Worldwide Distribution ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
Immunofluorescence Antibody Test ◽  
Immunofluorescence Antibody

Abstract Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan with worldwide distribution and dogs act as sentinels of human infection. This search aimed to determine the occurrence of antibodies against T. gondii in dogs of the communities on the Cuiabá River, Mato Grosso and variables associated with infection. The dogs of the riverside communities in Cuiabá River, which includes Barranco Alto, Praia do Poço, Engenho Velho, Varginha, Bom Sucesso, Passagem da Conceição and São Gonçalo Beira Rio, were evaluated for the presence of T. gondii antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT). The prevalence and factors associated with infection were calculated by chi-squared test (χ2) or Fisher’s exact test, and univariate and multiple analysis. Of the 248 dogs surveyed, 107 (43.1%) were seropositive for T. gondii. The seroprevalence ranged from 25.6% to 64.3%. There was no statistically significant difference between the communities studied (p > 0.05). As for the associated factors, the only statistically significant factor was that of dogs living with cats (p = 0.02), with approximately twice the risk of acquiring infection. In conclusion, the seroprevalence in dogs of riverside communities in the Baixada Cuiabana demonstrated that high rates of infection, being the factor associated with infection, contact with domestic cats.

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