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Karagkouni M, Spilioti K, Meletis E, Kostoulas P, Koutinas C, Theodorou K, Breitschwerdt EB, Mylonakis ME. Assessment of the effect of long-term serum storage for retrospective serologic diagnosis of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia canis). Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2024; 108:102170. [PMID: 38581930 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2024.102170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2024] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
There is currently sparse information on the possible effect of long-term storage of serum specimens for the retrospective serodiagnosis of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME). The aim of this study was to assess the agreement between the original serologic outcome and the results of a repeat indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) assay for the detection of IgG antibodies against E. canis. A secondary aim was to compare the diagnostic performance of two commercially available point-of-care (POC) immunochromatographic (IC) assays. Archived serum samples originally tested as positive (n=66) or negative (n=19) for E. canis IgG antibodies and kept frozen at -20°C for a median of 22 years, were retrospectively examined by IFA and by two POC IC assays. Cohen's Kappa coefficient (0.748, p < 0.0001), indicated a substantial agreement between the original and repeat serologic testing results. An almost identical high sensitivity and moderate specificity were established for the two POC IC assays. Canine serum specimens on long-term storage may still be of value for seroepidemiologic surveys investigating the exposure to E. canis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melina Karagkouni
- Companion Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54627, Greece
| | | | - Eleftherios Meletis
- Laboratory of Epidemiology and Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Public and One Health, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Karditsa 43100, Greece
| | - Polychronis Kostoulas
- Laboratory of Epidemiology and Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Public and One Health, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Karditsa 43100, Greece
| | - Christos Koutinas
- Companion Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54627, Greece
| | - Konstantina Theodorou
- Companion Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54627, Greece
| | - Edward B Breitschwerdt
- Intracellular Pathogens Research Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, NC 27607, USA
| | - Mathios E Mylonakis
- Companion Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54627, Greece.
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Afonso P, Lopes AP, Quintas H, Cardoso L, Coelho AC. Ehrlichia canis and Rickettsia conorii Infections in Shelter Dogs: Seropositivity and Implications for Public Health. Pathogens 2024; 13:129. [PMID: 38392867 PMCID: PMC10893242 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13020129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
A cross-sectional study was conducted to gain insight into the epidemiology of canine ehrlichiosis and rickettsiosis in northern Portugal. Specific IgG antibodies to Ehrlichia canis were analysed using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and antibodies to Rickettsia conorii were analysed using a commercial indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT). A total of 113 dogs from two different shelters were sampled, and seroprevalence values of 0.9% (95% confidence (CI): 0.2-4.8%) for E. canis and 9.7 (95% CI: 5.5-16.6%) for R. conorii were found. Multiple logistic regression investigated risk factors for seropositivity. The odds ratios (ORs) of R. conorii seropositivity were higher for female dogs (OR = 6.429; 95% CI: 1.201-34.407). Dogs seropositive for co-infection (E. canis + R. conorii) were more frequently observed among females (OR = 7.606; CI 95%: 1.478-39.132) and in Shelter 2 (OR = 18.229; 95% CI: 2.190-151.756). These findings show that shelter dogs in northern Portugal are exposed to E. canis and R. conorii, which can affect both canines and humans. It is imperative to adopt a One Health approach to educate the public about the hazards of canine zoonoses and develop legislation and procedures to control their spread and preserve public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo Afonso
- CECAV—Animal and Veterinary Research Centre, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (P.A.); (A.P.L.); (A.C.C.)
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal;
- Centro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal
| | - Ana Patrícia Lopes
- CECAV—Animal and Veterinary Research Centre, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (P.A.); (A.P.L.); (A.C.C.)
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Hélder Quintas
- Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal;
- Centro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal
| | - Luís Cardoso
- CECAV—Animal and Veterinary Research Centre, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (P.A.); (A.P.L.); (A.C.C.)
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Ana Cláudia Coelho
- CECAV—Animal and Veterinary Research Centre, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (P.A.); (A.P.L.); (A.C.C.)
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
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Julien DA, Sargeant JM, Filejski C, Harper SL. Who let the dogs In? An epidemiological study quantifying domestically sourced and imported dogs in Southern Ontario, Canada. Zoonoses Public Health 2021; 68:588-600. [PMID: 33987921 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Dogs are reservoirs for many zoonoses. In southern Ontario, Canada, minimal data exist on the sources from which domestic dogs are acquired (i.e., domestic or imported). The objectives of this study were to (1) describe the proportions of domestically sourced and imported dogs in southern Ontario, Canada, (2) describe the characteristics of newly acquired dogs including their province/country of origin, accompanying health documentation and respondent opinion regarding disease risks from different sources, and (3) determine whether a difference in the proportion of imported dogs exists between rural and urban households in southern Ontario, Canada. We conducted a cross-sectional observational study using an online questionnaire. A total of 2,006 respondents (1,002 rural and 1,004 urban), each representing one household, participated. Over the previous seven-year period, 731 (36.44%, (731/2,006)) respondents domestically sourced at least one dog, with 684 providing information regarding 962 dogs. Domestically sourced dogs were frequently puppies three to five-month-old (25.05%, (241/962)), male (51.87%, (499/962)), from a breeder (30.98%, (298/962)), and sourced from within Ontario (92.93%, (894/962)). As self-reported by respondents, 63.52% (484/762) of domestically sourced dogs greater than 3 months were vaccinated against rabies. Over the same period, individuals from 55 of 2,006 households (2.74%) imported at least one dog. Imported dogs were frequently under three months of age (29.09%, 16/55)), male (58.18%, (32/55)), and found via a breeder (32.73%, (18/55)). Most imported dogs originated from the USA (52.73%, (29/55)). Rabies vaccination in dogs three months and older is provincially required in Ontario and is also required for canine importation into Canada; however, some imported dogs over three months were unvaccinated (7.69%, (3/39)). The odds ratio for importing at least one dog in urban households compared with rural households was 1.93 (95% CI: 1.03-3.62) when controlling for number of household occupants and gross household income.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle A Julien
- Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.,Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Jan M Sargeant
- Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.,Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | | | - Sherilee L Harper
- Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.,Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.,School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AL, Canada
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Csokai J, Klas EM, Heusinger A, Müller E. [Occurrence of Ehrlichia canis in dogs living in Germany and comparison of direct and indirect diagnostic methods]. TIERAERZTLICHE PRAXIS AUSGABE KLEINTIERE HEIMTIERE 2017; 45:301-307. [PMID: 28905983 DOI: 10.15654/tpk-170065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2017] [Accepted: 06/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study the occurrence of Ehrlichia (E.) canis in dogs living in Germany and evaluate the possibilities and limits of direct and indirect diagnostic methods. MATERIAL AND METHODS The first part of the study was a retrospective analysis of routine samples, which had been examined for E. canis antibodies using an indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT). The examination was part of a laboratory profile for the detection of travel-related diseases (travel disease profile) or was performed on an individual basis. In the second part, samples which were examined within a travel disease profile, including E. canis antibodies, were further evaluated for E. canis DNA by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Medical histories were obtained of E. canis-positive dogs (animals which were positive in IFAT and/or PCR) and for a part of the negative animals. RESULTS For 2015, 11.8% of 12220 samples had antibodies for E. canis. Dogs, which were examined with a travel disease profile, displayed antibodies in 5.6% cases of 1172 animals (investigation period February to March 2016). Of the E. canis-positive dogs (n = 67), 91% were positive with only the IFAT, 7.5% with the IFAT and PCR and 1.5% were only positive by PCR. Anamnesis showed that particularly imported dogs without symptoms were controlled for travel diseases during their first year in Germany. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Although endemic E. canis infections play a minor role in Germany, infections with this pathogen are still of importance in this country, particularly because of the import of dogs. Therefore, a medical history helps in early ehrlichiosis diagnosis and to start an adequate treatment. Pathogen detection in imported E. canis-seropositive dogs, which often did not display clinical symptoms in this study, was frequently negative in blood samples by PCR. The diagnostic method should be chosen depending on the disease phase and the underlying question (symptoms or preventive screening).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Csokai
- Jacqueline Csokai, LABOKLIN - Labor für klinische Diagnostik GmbH & Co. KG, Steubenstraße 4, 97688 Bad Kissingen, E-Mail:
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Bell DR, Berghaus RD, Patel S, Beavers S, Fernandez I, Sanchez S. Seroprevalence of tick-borne infections in military working dogs in the Republic of Korea. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2012; 12:1023-30. [PMID: 23167501 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2011.0864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study we endeavored to determine the seroprevalence of tick-borne infections in the military working dog (MWD) population in the Republic of Korea (ROK). Our sample population consisted of 182 serum samples from MWDs for 3 different years (1996, 2002, and 2007). In addition, 63 whole blood samples from 2007 were available for polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Serum samples were evaluated by a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunofluorescence assay (IFA) for Ehrlichia canis and Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and by ELISA only for Borrelia burgdorferi. PCR amplification of DNA was performed to screen for Ehrlichia canis, E. chaffeensis, E. ewingii, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, A. platys, Borrelia burgdorferi, and Rickettsia rickettsii, as well as Babesia and Theileria species using previously published primers and probes. A total of 56 (30.8%) MWDs were positive by at least one serologic test. Seroprevalences for Anaplasma and Ehrlichia were 4.4% and 0.6% based on the ELISA, and 24.7% and 22.5% based on the IFA, respectively. ELISA testing for Borrelia yielded 2 (1.1%) positive results. In parallel testing using both the ELISA and IFA tests, the percentages of dogs with one or more positive results were 34.1%, 25.9%, and 28.4%, for 1996, 2002, and 2007, respectively. There was no significant differences in seroprevalence based on location, year, breed, or sex of the MWD. There was poor agreement between IFA and ELISA test results. No MWD sample had a positive PCR result. MWDs stationed in Korea had serologic evidence of exposure to several tick-borne pathogens, but PCR testing did not identify any active infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis R Bell
- Department of Small Animal Medicine, University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine , University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA.
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O'Connor TP, Saucier JM, Daniluk D, Stillman BA, Krah R, Rikihisa Y, Xiong Q, Yabsley MJ, Adams DS, Diniz PPVP, Breitschwerdt EB, Gaunt SD, Chandrashekar R. Evaluation of peptide- and recombinant protein-based assays for detection of anti-Ehrlichia ewingii antibodies in experimentally and naturally infected dogs. [corrected]. Am J Vet Res 2010; 71:1195-200. [PMID: 20919906 DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.71.10.1195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate microtiter-plate format ELISAs constructed by use of different diagnostic targets derived from the Ehrlichia ewingii p28 outer membrane protein for detection of E ewingii antibodies in experimentally and naturally infected dogs. SAMPLE POPULATION Serum samples from 87 kenneled dogs, 9 dogs experimentally infected with anti-E ewingii, and 180 potentially naturally exposed dogs from Missouri. PROCEDURES The capacities of the synthetic peptide and truncated recombinant protein to function as detection reagents in ELISAs were compared by use of PCR assay, western blot analysis, and a full-length recombinant protein ELISA. Diagnostic targets included an E ewingii synthetic peptide (EESP) and 2 recombinant proteins: a full-length E ewingii outer membrane protein (EEp28) and a truncated E ewingii outer membrane protein (EETp28) RESULTS A subset of Ehrlichia canis-positive samples cross-reacted in the EEp28 ELISA; none were reactive in the EESP and EETp28 ELISAs. The EESP- and EETp28-based ELISAs detected E ewingii seroconversion at approximately the same time after infection as the EEp28 ELISAs. In afield population, each of the ELISAs identified the same 35 samples as reactive and 27 samples as nonreactive. Anaplasma and E can is peptides used in a commercially available ELISA platform did not detect anti-E ewingii antibodies in experimentally infected dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The EESP and EETp28 ELISAs were suitable for specifically detecting anti-E ewingii antibodies in experimentally and naturally infected dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas P O'Connor
- Department of Immunoassay R&D, IDEXX Laboratories Incorporated, 1 Indexx Dr, Westbrook, ME 04092, USA.
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Couto CG, Lorentzen L, Beall MJ, Shields J, Bertolone N, Couto JI, Couto KM, Nash S, Slack J, Kvitko H, Westendorf N, Marin L, Iazbik MC, Vicario FC, Sanz P, Ruano R. Serological Study of Selected Vector-Borne Diseases in Shelter Dogs in Central Spain Using Point-of-Care Assays. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2010; 10:885-8. [DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2009.0063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- C. Guillermo Couto
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
- The Veterinary Teaching Hospital, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
- The OSU Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University; Columbus, Ohio
| | | | | | | | - Nicolette Bertolone
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Jason I. Couto
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Kristen M. Couto
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Sarah Nash
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Jessica Slack
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Heather Kvitko
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Nicole Westendorf
- The Veterinary Teaching Hospital, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Liliana Marin
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - M. Christina Iazbik
- The Veterinary Teaching Hospital, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | | | - Pilar Sanz
- Studio Veterinario Bisio-Sangiorgio-Tagliabue, Genoa, Italy
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Little SE, O'Connor TP, Hempstead J, Saucier J, Reichard MV, Meinkoth K, Meinkoth JH, Andrews B, Ullom S, Ewing SA, Chandrashekar R. Ehrlichia ewingii infection and exposure rates in dogs from the southcentral United States. Vet Parasitol 2010; 172:355-60. [PMID: 20541322 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2010.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2010] [Revised: 04/06/2010] [Accepted: 05/05/2010] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
We used PCR and a novel serologic assay to determine infection and exposure rates to Ehrlichia ewingii in dogs from an area of northeast Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas where Amblyomma americanum ticks are abundant. Of 143 dogs assayed, 13 (9.1%) harbored E. ewingii by PCR and 64 (44.8%) had antibodies to E. ewingii detected using a peptide-based microtiter plate ELISA. Dogs were more likely (P=0.001) to be positive by PCR if sampled in August (30.8%) but no association was found between seropositive status and month of collection of sample (P>0.05). Additional testing revealed PCR evidence of Ehrlichia chaffeensis (4/143; 2.8%) and Anaplasma platys (5/143; 3.5%) as well as antibodies reactive to E. chaffeensis (25/143; 17.5%), Ehrlichia canis (2/143; 1.4%), and Anaplasma spp. (8/143; 5.6%). Testing of another 200 dogs from the area revealed additional PCR and/or serologic evidence of E. ewingii, E. canis, E. chaffeensis, and A. platys. None of the 343 dogs evaluated had evidence of Borrelia burgdorferi exposure. These data support the interpretation that E. ewingii may be the primary agent of canine ehrlichiosis in this region, and suggest that diagnostic evaluation of dogs suspected to have a tick-borne disease should include assays targeting this organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan E Little
- Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA.
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Stich RW, Schaefer JJ, Bremer WG, Needham GR, Jittapalapong S. Host surveys, ixodid tick biology and transmission scenarios as related to the tick-borne pathogen, Ehrlichia canis. Vet Parasitol 2008; 158:256-73. [PMID: 18963493 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2008.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2008] [Revised: 08/20/2008] [Accepted: 08/20/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The ehrlichioses have been subject to increasing interest from veterinary and public health perspectives, but experimental studies of these diseases and their etiologic agents can be challenging. Ehrlichia canis, the primary etiologic agent of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis, is relatively well characterized and offers unique advantages and opportunities to study interactions between a monocytotropic pathogen and both its vertebrate and invertebrate hosts. Historically, advances in tick-borne disease control strategies have typically followed explication of tick-pathogen-vertebrate interactions, thus it is reasonable to expect novel, more sustainable approaches to control of these diseases as the transmission of their associated infections are investigated at the molecular through ecological levels. Better understanding of the interactions between E. canis and its canine and tick hosts would also elucidate similar interactions for other Ehrlichia species as well as the potential roles of canine sentinels, reservoirs and models of tick-borne zoonoses. This article summarizes natural exposure studies and experimental investigations of E. canis in the context of what is understood about biological vectors of tick-borne Anaplasmataceae.
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Affiliation(s)
- R W Stich
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
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Results from an indirect fluorescent antibody test using three different strains of Ehrlichia canis. Vet J 2008; 182:301-5. [PMID: 18760641 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2008.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2008] [Revised: 07/14/2008] [Accepted: 07/17/2008] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
An indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test is usually performed to detect antibodies in dogs naturally infected by Ehrlichia canis. In this work, results obtained using three different E. canis strains as antigen (a commercial antigen, the E. canis Oklahoma strain and the E. canis Madrid strain) were compared. One hundred and forty-nine serum samples obtained from dogs living in the centre of Spain were analysed. When qualitative results were evaluated, identical results were detected in 87.2% of samples for the three antigens tested. When comparing antibody titre results, differences between the Madrid strain and the commercial antigen, and between the Madrid and Oklahoma strains were statistically significant (P<0.0001). No differences were found when comparing the Oklahoma strain with the commercial antigen (P=0.562). Subtle intra-laboratory variations shown in this study suggest a higher sensitivity of the IFA test when an autochthonous strain is used as antigen.
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Otranto D, Paradies P, Testini G, Latrofa MS, Weigl S, Cantacessi C, Mencke N, de Caprariis D, Parisi A, Capelli G, Stanneck D. Application of 10% imidacloprid/50% permethrin to prevent Ehrlichia canis exposure in dogs under natural conditions. Vet Parasitol 2008; 153:320-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2008.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2007] [Revised: 02/08/2008] [Accepted: 02/12/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW) on an assessment of the risk of tick introduction into UK, Republic of Ireland, and Malta as a consequence of abandoning National rules. EFSA J 2007. [DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2007.469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
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O'Connor TP, Hanscom JL, Hegarty BC, Groat RG, Breitschwerdt EB. Comparison of an indirect immunofluorescence assay, western blot analysis, and a commercially available ELISA for detection ofEhrlichia canisantibodies in canine sera. Am J Vet Res 2006; 67:206-10. [PMID: 16454622 DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.67.2.206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the correlation between results for an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) that uses Ehrlichia canis antigen as a substrate (ie, E canis-IFA), 2 western blot (WB) analyses, and a commercially available ELISA in the detection of E canis antibody in dog sera. SAMPLE POPULATION 54 canine serum samples that were reactive on E canis-IFA and 16 canine serum samples that were E canis-IFA nonreactive. PROCEDURE Serum samples were evaluated by use of 2 WB analyses and a commercially available ELISA. Correlation between results of the 3 testing modalities (ie, IFA, WB analyses, and the ELISA) was examined by use of nonreactive (E canis-IFA reciprocal titer, < 20), low-titer (reciprocal titer, 80 to 160), medium-titer (reciprocal titer, 320 to 2,560), and high-titer (reciprocal titer, 5,120 to > 20,480) serum samples. RESULTS For all serum samples in the nonreactive (n = 16), medium-titer (17), and high-titer (18) groups, correlation of results among IFA, WB analyses, and the commercially available ELISA was excellent. A poor correlation was found between IFA results and those of WB analyses and the ELISA for serum samples in the low-titer group (19), with only 4 of the 19 serum samples having positive results on both WB analyses and the commercially available ELISA. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The discrepancy between E canis-IFA, WB analyses, and the commercially available ELISA results for the low-titer serum samples may be related to a high IFA sensitivity or, more likely, a lack of specificity associated with cross-reactivity among Ehrlichia spp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas P O'Connor
- Department of Research and Development, IDEXX Laboratories Inc, 1 IDEXX Dr, Westbrook, ME 04092, USA
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