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Development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the diagnosis of feline tuberculosis. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2023; 255:110538. [PMID: 36543013 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2022.110538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Cases of feline tuberculosis (TB) can be challenging to diagnose. Currently, this is achieved through a combination of mycobacterial culture, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), or interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA); however, these each have limitations. There is limited data regarding the use of humoral immunodiagnostics for TB in cats. Therefore, we sought to develop an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to further facilitate the diagnosis of feline TB. A comparative PPD (purified protein derivative) antibody ELISA was optimised for use on serum and plasma, and was tested against samples from 14 cats with culture-confirmed TB and 24 uninfected controls. Selection of an appropriate positive cut-off value based on receiver-operator characteristic curve analysis gave test sensitivity of 64.3 % and specificity of 100 %. When tested on further samples from cats with strongly suspected mycobacteriosis, 32.9 % (23/70) were antibody positive. Notably, positive results were recorded in cats that failed to respond to the IGRA, and in one PCR and IGRA negative cat. No positive responses were identified in cats with non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections, or with non-mycobacterial diseases (n = 12). Therefore, antibody-based diagnostics may be useful adjunctive tests for cases of TB missed by the IGRA, helping protect both feline and, in turn, human health.
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Khalid H, van Hooij A, Connelley TK, Geluk A, Hope JC. Protein Levels of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines and Chemokines as Biomarkers of Mycobacterium bovis Infection and BCG Vaccination in Cattle. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11070738. [PMID: 35889984 PMCID: PMC9320177 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11070738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Bovine tuberculosis (bTB), caused by Mycobacterium bovis, is a globally prevalent infectious disease with significant animal welfare and economic impact. Difficulties in implementing test-and-slaughter measures in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and the underperformance of the current diagnostics establish a clear need to develop improved diagnostics. Adaptive immunity biomarkers other than IFNγ could be useful as suggested by various gene expression studies; however, a comprehensive assessment at the protein level is lacking. Here, we screened a range of chemokines and cytokines for their potential as biomarkers in samples from M. bovis experimentally challenged or naive animals. Although serum concentrations for most proteins were low, the pro-inflammatory markers, IL-2, CXCL-9, IP-10 and CCL4, in addition to IFNγ, were found to be significantly elevated in bovine tuberculin (PPDb)-stimulated whole blood supernatants. Further assessment of these molecules in BCG-vaccinated with or without subsequent M. bovis challenge or naive animals revealed that PPDb-specific IL-2 and IP-10, in addition to IFNγ, could discriminate naive and BCG-vaccinated from M. bovis challenged animals. Moreover, these proteins, along with CCL4, showed DIVA potential, i.e., enabling differentiation of M. bovis-infected animals from BCG-vaccinated animals. Combined analysis of cytokines and chemokines could also accurately identify M. bovis infection with strong correlations observed between PPDb-specific IFNγ, IL-2 and IP-10 levels. This provides proof of concept for utilizing multiple biomarker signatures for discrimination of animals with respect to M. bovis infection or BCG vaccination status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamza Khalid
- Division of Infection and Immunity, The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Edinburgh EH25 9RG, UK;
- Center for Inflammation Research, The Queen’s Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
- Correspondence: (H.K.); (J.C.H.)
| | - Anouk van Hooij
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (A.v.H.); (A.G.)
| | - Timothy K. Connelley
- Division of Infection and Immunity, The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Edinburgh EH25 9RG, UK;
| | - Annemieke Geluk
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (A.v.H.); (A.G.)
| | - Jayne C. Hope
- Division of Infection and Immunity, The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Edinburgh EH25 9RG, UK;
- Correspondence: (H.K.); (J.C.H.)
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CYTOKINE-RELEASE ASSAY FOR THE DETECTION OF MYCOBACTERIUM BOVIS INFECTION IN CHEETAH ( ACINONYX JUBATUS). J Zoo Wildl Med 2022; 52:1113-1122. [PMID: 34998280 DOI: 10.1638/2021-0063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The lack of species-specific assays for the diagnosis of infectious diseases, such as bovine tuberculosis, poses a threat to the management of wildlife populations, especially for vulnerable species such as cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus). The aim of this study was to identify and develop a cell-mediated immunological cytokine-release assay that could distinguish between Mycobacterium bovis-infected and uninfected cheetahs using commercially available feline cytokine ELISA and domestic cat (Felis catus) recombinant proteins. Antibodies against domestic cat cytokines, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and interferon gamma (IFN-γ), were screened for cross-reactivity with plasma cytokines from cheetah whole blood stimulated using QuantiFERON®-TB Gold Plus (QFT) tubes. Evidence of cytokine production in response to QFT mitogen stimulation was observed in all four ELISA assays. However only the Mabtech Cat IFN-γ ELISABasic kit could distinguish between M. bovis-infected (n = 1) and uninfected (n = 1) cheetahs and was therefore selected for further evaluation. A preliminary cheetah specific cutoff value (11 pg/ml) for detecting M. bovis infection using the Mabtech Cat IFN-γ release assay was calculated using a M. bovis uninfected cheetah cohort. Although this study only included one confirmed M. bovis culture-positive and one M. bovis culture-negative cheetah, the Mabtech Cat IFN-γ release assay demonstrated its potential for diagnostic application in this species.
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Vargo C, Gogal R, Barber J, Austel M, Banovic F. Characterisation of the serum cytokine profile in feline atopic skin syndrome. Vet Dermatol 2021; 32:485-e133. [PMID: 34180094 DOI: 10.1111/vde.12994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Feline atopic skin syndrome (FASS) is a pruritic and inflammatory skin disease commonly encountered in cats. Three previous reports evaluated cytokine immune activation in cats diagnosed with feline allergic dermatitis. However, no significant upregulations were observed in allergic cats compared to healthy controls. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVE To evaluate differences in the serum cytokine profile of cats diagnosed with FASS compared to healthy cats, and correlate serum markers with the extent of FASS skin disease using clinical scoring systems. ANIMALS Thirteen client-owned FASS cats and 12 healthy control cats. METHODS AND MATERIALS Thirteen cytokine and chemokines from the serum of FASS cats and healthy controls were analysed using a commercially available feline-specific multiplex assay. RESULTS Patients with FASS had a significant increase in serum concentrations of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-2, IL-13 and IL-18. In addition, cytokine/chemokines involved in inflammation and chemotaxis [IL-8, C-C Motif Chemokine Ligand (CCL)5, CCL2 and CXCL12], as well as growth factors, stem cell factor and Fms-related tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (Flt3L), also were significantly elevated. A significant positive correlation (r = 0.64) between the serum levels of Flt3L and Scoring Feline Allergic Dermatitis (SCORFAD) score was observed. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate the activation of a broad array of immune secretory cytokines in the serum of cats with FASS, which are largely associated with a mixed Th1 and Th2 inflammatory response along with specific growth factors. Further larger-sample studies are needed to assess the modulation of serum biomarkers in FASS by pharmacological/therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl Vargo
- Departments of, Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Robert Gogal
- Department of, Biosciences and Diagnostic Imaging, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - James Barber
- Department of, Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Michaela Austel
- Departments of, Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Frane Banovic
- Departments of, Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
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Mitchell JL, Del Pozo J, Woolley CSC, Dheendsa R, Hope JC, Gunn-Moore DA. Histological and immunohistochemical features suggesting aetiological differences in lymph node and (muco)cutaneous feline tuberculosis lesions. J Small Anim Pract 2021; 63:174-187. [PMID: 34101189 DOI: 10.1111/jsap.13386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To identify and describe histological and immunohistochemical criteria that may differentiate between skin and lymph node lesions associated with Mycobacterium (M.) bovis and M. microti in a diagnostic pathology setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS Archived skin and lymph node biopsies of tuberculous lesions were stained with haematoxylin and eosin, Ziehl-Neelsen and Masson's Trichrome. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the expression of calprotectin, CD3 and Pax5. Samples were scored for histological parameters (i.e. granulomas with central necrosis versus small granulomas without central necrosis, percentage necrosis and/or multinucleated giant cells), number of acid-fast bacilli (bacterial index) and lesion percentage of fibrosis and positive immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS Twenty-two samples were examined (M. bovis n=11, M. microti n=11). When controlling for age, gender and tissue, feline M. bovis-associated lesions more often featured large multi-layered granulomas with central necrosis. Conversely, this presentation was infrequent in feline M. microti-associated lesions, where small granulomas without central necrosis predominated. The presence of an outer fibrous capsule was variable in both groups, as was the bacterial index. There were no differences in intralesional expression of immunohistochemical markers. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Differences in the histological appearance of skin and lymph node lesions may help to infer feline infection with either M. bovis or M. microti at an earlier stage when investigating these cases, informing clinicians of the potential zoonotic risk. Importantly, cases of tuberculosis can present with numerous acid-fast bacilli. This implies that a high bacterial index does not infer infection with non-zoonotic non-tuberculous mycobacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- J L Mitchell
- *Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - J Del Pozo
- *Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - C S C Woolley
- *Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - R Dheendsa
- *Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - J C Hope
- *Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - D A Gunn-Moore
- *Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
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Peterhans S, Landolt P, Friedel U, Oberhänsli F, Dennler M, Willi B, Senn M, Hinden S, Kull K, Kipar A, Stephan R, Ghielmetti G. Mycobacterium microti: Not Just a Coincidental Pathogen for Cats. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:590037. [PMID: 33344530 PMCID: PMC7744565 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.590037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Public interest in animal tuberculosis is mainly focused on prevention and eradication of bovine tuberculosis in cattle and wildlife. In cattle, immunodiagnostic tests such as the tuberculin skin test or the interferon gamma (IFN-γ) assay have been established and are commercially available. Feline tuberculosis is rather unknown, and the available diagnostic tools are limited. However, infections with Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex members need to be considered an aetiological differential diagnosis in cats with granulomatous lymphadenopathy or skin nodules and, due to the zoonotic potential, a time-efficient and accurate diagnostic approach is required. The present study describes 11 independent cases of Mycobacterium microti infection in domestic cats in Switzerland. For three cases, clinical presentation, diagnostic imaging, bacteriological results, immunodiagnostic testing, and pathological features are reported. An adapted feline IFN-γ release assay was successfully applied in two cases and appears to be a promising tool for the ante mortem diagnosis of tuberculosis in cats. Direct contact with M. microti reservoir hosts was suspected to be the origin of infection in all three cases. However, there was no evidence of M. microti infection in 346 trapped wild mice from a presumptive endemic region. Therefore, the source and modalities of infection in cats in Switzerland remain to be further elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Peterhans
- Section of Veterinary Bacteriology, Vetsuisse Faculty, Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Patricia Landolt
- Section of Veterinary Bacteriology, Vetsuisse Faculty, Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ute Friedel
- Section of Veterinary Bacteriology, Vetsuisse Faculty, Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Matthias Dennler
- Clinic for Diagnostic Imaging, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Barbara Willi
- Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Karin Kull
- Dres. Kull, Gross- und Kleintierpraxis, Ernen, Switzerland
| | - Anja Kipar
- Vetsuisse Faculty, Institute of Veterinary Pathology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Roger Stephan
- Section of Veterinary Bacteriology, Vetsuisse Faculty, Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Giovanni Ghielmetti
- Section of Veterinary Bacteriology, Vetsuisse Faculty, Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Troia R, Mascalzoni G, Agnoli C, Lalonde-Paul D, Giunti M, Goggs R. Cytokine and Chemokine Profiling in Cats With Sepsis and Septic Shock. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:305. [PMID: 32548135 PMCID: PMC7273843 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Sepsis is a life-threatening condition associated with an exacerbated production of both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines that can promote a hyperactive response to infection or induce immunoparalysis. Data regarding the immune response to sepsis in cats are scarce. Establishing the profiles of cytokines and chemokines in feline sepsis to characterize the nature of the immune responses to sepsis might enable individualized treatments to be developed and targeted. Objective: To evaluate the cytokine and chemokine network in cats with sepsis and septic shock, and to investigate the associations of these analytes with disease severity and outcome. Methods: Blood samples prospectively collected at presentation of cats with sepsis and septic shock to two veterinary teaching hospitals were analyzed. Forty healthy cats were included as controls. A 19-plex feline cytokine/chemokine magnetic bead assay system was used to measure analytes in citrated plasma samples. Cytokine concentrations were compared between groups using the Kruskal-Wallis test with Dunn's post-hoc correction for multiple comparisons. Cytokine concentrations were compared between survivors and non-survivors with the Mann-Whitney U test. Odds ratios were calculated using logistic regression. A multivariable logistic regression model for prediction of septic shock was constructed. Results: The study enrolled 35 septic cats. Many cytokines were undetectable in both sick and healthy control cats and were excluded from subsequent analyses. Comparisons of cytokine concentrations among healthy controls, cats with sepsis (n = 12) and cats with septic shock (n = 23) revealed that sick cats (sepsis or septic shock) had significantly higher plasma concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, KC-like, and RANTES compared to healthy controls. The combination of MCP-1, Flt-3L, and IL-12 was predictive of septic shock. None of the cytokines analyzed was predictive of outcome in this study population. Conclusion: Plasma concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, KC-like, and RANTES are increased in cats with sepsis and may play important roles in pathogenesis. Multivariable modeling suggested that analysis of cytokines might aid differentiation of septic shock from sepsis. None of the cytokines analyzed was predictive of outcome. Measurement of these cytokines might enable future studies to better diagnose and characterize feline sepsis and septic shock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Troia
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giulia Mascalzoni
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Chiara Agnoli
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Denise Lalonde-Paul
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Massimo Giunti
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Robert Goggs
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
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