scholarly journals Serological monitoring of antibodies for an early diagnosis ofaspergillosis in captive penguins

2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 573-578 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ângela L. Cabana ◽  
Melissa O. Xavier ◽  
Vanice Poester ◽  
Gabriel B. Klafke ◽  
Pedro L. B.Filho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Diagnosis ◽  
Aspergillus Fumigatus ◽  
Post Mortem ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Marine Animals ◽  
Agar Gel ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Spheniscus Magellanicus ◽  
Final Destination ◽  
Magellanic Penguins

Abstract: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of detection of anti-Aspergillus fumigatus antibodies in captive penguins by double radial agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) for the aspergillosis diagnosis. We included 134 Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) in rehabilitation at the Center for Recovery of Marine Animals (CRAM / FURG). All of them were monitored by AGID weekly until its final destination (death or release), totalizing 660 serum samples studied. All animals were clinically accompanied and post-mortem examinations was performed in penguins that died during the studied period. A total of 28% (37/134) of the penguins died, 89.2% (33/37) due to aspergillosis, 11% (4/37) by other causes and 97 were released. From the 33 animals with proven aspergillosis, 21 presented anti- A. fumigatus antibodies by AGID, being the average interval between death and positive AGID 16.4 days. Twelve animals with negative serology died of aspergillosis. The sensitivity and specificity rates were 63.6% and 95% respectively, and the positive and negative predictive values were 80.7% and 88.9% respectively. These data demonstrate that the serological monitoring for detection of antibodies by AGID can be an important tool for the diagnosis of aspergillosis in penguins.

scholarly journals Occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites in Spheniscus magellanicus (Foster, 1781) located in Pontal do Sul, PR, Brazil

2018 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 491-496
Author(s):  
M.S. Vanhoni ◽  
G.M. Arná ◽  
L.K. Sprenger ◽  
D.L. Vieira ◽  
L.W. Luis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gastrointestinal Parasites ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Infected Bird ◽  
Brazilian Coast ◽  
Marine Animals ◽  
Spheniscus Magellanicus ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
Magellanic Penguins ◽  
Rehabilitation Centers ◽  
South Of Brazil

ABSTRACT Gastrointestinal parasitism is the main health problem faced by Spheniscus magellanicus, known as Magellanic penguins, in route on the Brazilian coast. The aim of this research was to report the occurrence and intensity of gastrointestinal parasites in S. magellanicus that reached Pontal do Sul, Paraná, South of Brazil. The study was performed at the Marine Study Center of the Federal University of Parana (CEM-UFPR) with 38 specimens, 31 were necropsied and seven were examined alive with coproparasitological exams. From the necropsied animals, 93.5% (29/31) were parasitized with at least one parasite species. Contracaecum pelagicum was the most prevalent 93,5% (29/31) parasite, followed by Cardiocephaloides physalis (64.5%) and Tetrabothrius lutzi (51.6%). Only one animal was free of parasites and the most infected bird had 1.076 parasites with an average of 194 worms. Willis-Mollay method revealed that 57.1% (4/7) had C. pelagicum eggs. In conclusion, the high rate of gastrointestinal parasites in S. magellanicus confirms the clinical exams, when animals had poor health conditions when they were found in the cost of Paraná. This study provides data to enrich the literature regarding the helminth fauna of the Magellanic penguins, assisting sanitary control programs in Rehabilitation Centers for Marine Animals.

scholarly journals Comparative Immunoglobulin G Antibody Profiles between Mother and Child (CGMC Test) for Early Diagnosis of Congenital Toxoplasmosis

2000 ◽  
Vol 38 (10) ◽  
pp. 3619-3622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uwe Gross ◽  
Carsten G. K. Lüder ◽  
Vera Hendgen ◽  
Cornelia Heeg ◽  
Irmtraud Sauer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Diagnosis ◽  
Newborn Infant ◽  
Newborn Infants ◽  
Congenital Toxoplasmosis ◽  
Congenital Infection ◽  
Igg Antibodies ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Iga Antibodies ◽  
Mother And Child

Early diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis is rendered difficult when specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) and/or IgA antibodies are absent in the blood of the newborn infant. Since maternal IgG antibodies can cross the placenta, determination of IgG antibodies in newborn infants has hitherto not been used routinely for the diagnosis of congenital infection. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic usefulness of an immunoblot assay which compares the early IgG profiles between the mother and her child (comparative IgG profile between mother and child; CGMC test) directed against a total cell lysate ofToxoplasma gondii tachyzoites. Serum samples from 97 newborn infants at risk of toxoplasma infection were obtained from umbilical cord blood at birth or postnatally until 3 months of life and were directly compared with serum samples from the respective mothers. Congenital toxoplasmosis was diagnosed only when IgG-reactive protein bands that were present in any newborn serum samples were absent in the corresponding maternal serum sample. Congenital infection was defined by conventional serological assays when IgM and/or IgA antibodies were present in newborn infant blood or when IgG titers rose within the first 12 months or were persistently stable for more than 8 months. Using these criteria, congenital infection was definitely confirmed in 11 cases. Three additional cases were diagnosed based on indicative data. The CGMC test, which was performed without knowledge of the results of conventional serologal assays, had sensitivity and specificity of 82.4 and 93.0%, respectively, and positive and negative predictive values of 73.7 and 95.7%, respectively. When true positives and true negatives were considered, the comparative IgG profile had a ratio of 90.9% true results. The CGMC test thus is useful as an additional assay for the rapid diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis when paired serum samples from mother and child are available.

scholarly journals Applicability of the Platelia EIA® Aspergillus test for the diagnosis of aspergilosis in penguins

2019 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. L. Cabana ◽  
M. O. Xavier ◽  
J. F. Mendes ◽  
A. J. Teles ◽  
A. M. Martins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Roc Curve ◽  
Clinical Sample ◽  
Sandwich Elisa ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Average Value ◽  
Magellanic Penguins ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

Abstract Even today, an effective diagnostic test for aspergillosis in penguins is unknown, being the gold standard post-mortem examinations. The fungal antigen galactomannan (GM) has been used as a biomarker of disease in humans and is detected by the Platelia Aspergillus EIA (BioRad)®, a commercial kit based on the sandwich ELISA technique. It is standardized for use in neutropenic patients, however studies have demonstrated its usefulness also possible for birds. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Platelia Aspergillus EIA® test (BioRad-US) in the diagnosis of aspergillosis in Magellanic penguins, determining sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for different cut-off points. Were included in the study, blood serum samples (n = 29) Magellanic penguins in captivity that died by aspergillosis. Detection of GM was performed following manufacturer's instructions and the GM index was obtained by dividing the average value of OD of the duplicate of the clinical sample by duplicate OD of the average value of the cut-off sample provided by the kit. Through information database results were obtained for the presence of anti-Aspergillus fumigatus antibodies detected by agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) for all serum samples. Results were analyzed using chi-square test and Kruskal-Wallis from SPSS 20.0, IBM®. ROC curve was obtained and from this, rates of sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were also calculated based on four different cutoff points (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0). The serum GM index did not differ between animals of the case and control group (pkw =0.097). In determining the ROC curve for serum GM detection the value of area under the curve was 0.635. From the values determined by the coordinate of the curve, four different cut points (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0) were analyzed, resulting in sensitivity rates ranging from 86.2 to 34.5% % and specificity between 87% and 26.1%. By comparing the serum GM index in group case as the presence or absence of antibodies detected by AGID was found p=0.503. The detection of GM the Platelia Aspergillus EIA® test seems is not be useful for the diagnosis of aspergillosis in naturally infected penguins.

scholarly journals Investigation of the rapid immunochromatographic test performance in the diagnosis of syphilis; comparison of four serological methods

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Huseyin Agah Terzi ◽  
Ozlem Aydemir ◽  
Engin Karakece ◽  
Huseyin Hatipoglu ◽  
Mehmet Olmez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Test Performance ◽  
Gold Standard ◽  
Treponema Pallidum ◽  
Rapid Test ◽  
Immunochromatographic Test ◽  
Rapid Plasma Reagin ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Hemagglutination Assay ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

AbstractObjectivesTo test the performance of the newly available rapid test for syphilis, we compared it with Treponema pallidum hemagglutination assay (TPHA). Additionally, we investigated the performance of rapid plasma reagin (RPR) and chemiluminescence microparticle immunoassays (CMIA) at our laboratory using TPHA as a gold standard.MethodsThe serum samples of 595 patients with the pre-diagnosis of syphilis were studied by four serological methods. The sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of RPR, CMIA, and syphilis rapid test were assessed by utilizing TPHA as a gold standard for the diagnosis of syphilis.ResultsOf the patients, 6.2% (37/595) had positive RPR, 5.5% (33/595) had positive CMIA, 5.5% (33/595) had a positive rapid immunochromatographic method and 5% (30/595) had positive TPHA. When TPHA results were taken as the reference, the sensitivity of the rapid test for syphilis was 100%, the specificity was 99.5%, PPV was 90.9%, and NPV was 100.0%.ConclusionsIt was observed that the rapid test for syphilis used in the study was quite successful, its cost was appropriate, and the test was very fast and easy to apply. At the same time, the agreement between syphilis rapid test and TPHA was found to be excellent.

Health state and reproductive output in Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus)

2002 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Moreno ◽  
P. Yorio ◽  
P. Garcia-Borboroglu ◽  
J. Potti ◽  
S. Villar
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Output ◽  
Health State ◽  
Spheniscus Magellanicus ◽  
Magellanic Penguins

scholarly journals PLASMODIUM RELICTUM AS A CAUSE OF AVIAN MALARIA IN WILD-CAUGHT MAGELLANIC PENGUINS (SPHENISCUS MAGELLANICUS)

1988 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 610-619 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew S. Fix ◽  
Cheryl Waterhouse ◽  
Ellis C. Greiner ◽  
Michael K. Stoskopf
Keyword(s):  
Avian Malaria ◽  
Plasmodium Relictum ◽  
Spheniscus Magellanicus ◽  
Magellanic Penguins

scholarly journals Telomeres shorten and then lengthen before fledging in Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus)

Aging ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 487-493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack A. Cerchiara ◽  
Rosa Ana Risques ◽  
Donna Prunkard ◽  
Jeffrey R. Smith ◽  
Olivia J. Kane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spheniscus Magellanicus ◽  
Magellanic Penguins

scholarly journals A Paper-Based IL-6 Test Strip Coupled With a Spectrum-Based Optical Reader for Differentiating Influenza Severity in Children

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheng-Wen Lin ◽  
Ching-Fen Shen ◽  
Ching-Chuan Liu ◽  
Chao-Min Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Patient Outcome ◽  
Influenza Virus ◽  
Early Diagnosis ◽  
Sensitivity And Specificity ◽  
Interleukin 6 ◽  
Test Strip ◽  
Assay Method ◽  
Virus Infections ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Optical Reader

Influenza virus infection is a major worldwide public health problem. Influenza virus infections are associated with a high hospitalization rate in children between the ages of 5 and 14. The predominant reason for poor influenza prognosis is the lack of any effective means for early diagnosis. Early diagnosis of severe illness is critical to improving patient outcome, and could be especially useful in areas with limited medical resources. Accurate, inexpensive, and easy-to-use diagnostic tools could improve early diagnosis and patient outcome, and reduce overall healthcare costs. We developed an interleukin-6 paper-based test strip that used colloidal gold-conjugated antibodies to detect human interleukin-6 protein. These complexes were captured on a paper-based test strip patterned with perpendicular T lines that were pre-coated with anti-human interleukin-6 antibodies. Applied serum samples interacted with these antibodies and presented as colored bands that could be read using a spectrum-based optical reader. The full-spectrum of the reflected light interleukin-6 protein signal could be obtained from the spectral optics module, and the standard could be used to quantitatively analyze interleukin 6 level in serum. We retrospectively evaluated 10 children (23 serum samples) with severe influenza virus infections, 26 children (26 serum samples) with mild influenza virus infections, and 10 healthy children (10 serum samples). Our system, the combined use of a paper-based test strip and a spectrum-based optical reader, provided both qualitative and quantitative information. When used with the optical reader, the detection limit was improved from a qualitative, naked-eye level of 400 pg/ml to a quantitative, optical reader level of 76.85 pg/ml. After monitoring serum interleukin-6 level via our system, we found a high correlation between our system results and those obtainable using a conventional sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method (Rho = 0.706, p < 0.001). The sensitivity and specificity for differentiating between severe and mild influenza using our combined method (test strip coupled with optical reader) were 78.3 and 50.0%, respectively. When interleukin-6 was combined with serum C-reaction protein, the sensitivity and specificity were 85.7 and 95.5%, and the receiver operating characteristic area-under-the-curve was quite high (AUC = 0.911, p < 0.001). The potential advantages of our system, i.e., a paper-based test strip coupled with a spectrum-based optical reader, are as follows: 1) simple user operation; 2) rapid turnaround times–within 20 min; 3) high detection performance; and, 4) low-cost fabrication.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Pleural Fluid Adenosine Deaminase Activity in Tubercular Pleural Effusion in a Military Hospital

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-75
Author(s):  
Md Kabir Uddin ◽  
Md Abdul Ali Mia ◽  
Mamun Mostafi ◽  
Mimi Parvin ◽  
Mainul Ahmed Chowdhury
Keyword(s):  
Pleural Effusion ◽  
Early Diagnosis ◽  
Surrogate Marker ◽  
Invasive Procedure ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Military Hospital ◽  
Specific Marker ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Adenosine Deaminase Activity

Introduction: Tubercular pleural effusion (TPE) is one of the common extra pulmonary tuberculosis which many a times become difficult to make definite diagnosis on account of low sensitivity and/or specificity of non-invasive diagnostic tools. Even pleural biopsy cannot establish all the diagnosis; rather after patient shows unwillingness to invasive procedure. A reliable sensitive and specific marker is required for early diagnosis of TPE as Bangladesh is a high Tuberculosis burden country. Adenine deaminase (ADA) may be a useful surrogate marker. Objective: To find out a reliable sensitive and specific marker for early diagnosis of TPE as Bangladesh is a high Tuberculosis burden country. Materials and Methods: This study carried out ADA estimations in 170 cases of pleural effusion at Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Dhaka. Efforts were made to reach diagnosis by other means. Results: ADA level was found in tubercular pleural effusion ranges from 25 to 180 with a mean 71.51 ±33.1. It ranges 3 U/L to 170U/L with non-tubercular effusion with a mean 20.96±16.71. The sensitivity of ADA is 90.9% and specificity is 95.7% in diagnosing TPE. The positive and negative predictive values are 90.91 % and 95.65% respectively. Conclusion: ADA is found cheap, sensitive and a useful surrogate marker. However, it is not a confirmatory diagnostic tool but can be used as a reliable adjunct to other investigations. Journal of Armed Forces Medical College Bangladesh Vol.11(2) 2015: 69-75

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