scholarly journals Leishmania infantum Seroprevalence in Cats From Touristic Areas of Italy and Greece

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Morelli ◽  
Mariasole Colombo ◽  
Dimitris Dimzas ◽  
Alessandra Barlaam ◽  
Donato Traversa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Leishmania Infantum ◽  
Statistical Association ◽  
Antibody Assay ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Adriatic Coast ◽  
Specific Igg ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Giglio Island ◽  
Immunofluorescence Antibody ◽  
The Mediterranean Basin

Leishmaniosis by Leishmania infantum is a major zoonotic Vector-Borne Disease (VBD) in terms of geographic distribution, pathogenicity and zoonotic potential. While dogs are the main reservoir of L. infantum, the infection in cats is poorly understood although increasingly reported from enzootic and non-enzootic areas. The Mediterranean basin is a key area for leishmaniosis and includes touristic spots that require continuous surveillance for VBDs in consideration of the growing tendency of tourists to travel with their pets. This study evaluated L. infantum seroprevalence in cats living in selected touristic localities of Italy and Greece. A total of 269 cat serum samples from three Sites i.e., 76, 40, and 153 from Adriatic Coast of Abruzzo, Italy (Site A), Giglio Island, Tuscany, Italy (Site B), and Mykonos Island, Greece (Site C), respectively, were included in the survey. Sera samples were subjected to an indirect immunofluorescence antibody assay for the detection of anti-L. infantum specific IgG. Associations between possible risk factors and seropositivity to L. infantum were statistically evaluated. Antibodies against L. infantum were detected in eight out of 269 (3.0%) cats tested i.e., 4/76 (5.3%), 1/40 (2.5%), and 3/153 (2.0%), from sites A, B, and C, respectively. A statistical association between anti-L. infantum antibodies and cohabitation with dogs was shown. This study indicates that feline populations living in the examined Italian and Greek touristic areas are exposed to L. infantum and that they may contribute to the circulation of L. infantum, enhancing the risk of infection for dogs and humans.

scholarly journals Asymptomatic Leishmania infantum infections in humans living in endemic and non-endemic areas of Croatia, 2007 to 2009

2013 ◽  
Vol 18 (29) ◽  
Author(s):  
K Šiško-Kraljević ◽  
A Jerončić ◽  
B Mohar ◽  
V Punda-Polić
Keyword(s):  
Leishmania Infantum ◽  
Geographic Location ◽  
Eastern Coast ◽  
Leishmania Infection ◽  
Igg Antibodies ◽  
Vulnerable Group ◽  
Endemic Focus ◽  
Adriatic Coast ◽  
Specific Igg ◽  
Specific Igg Antibodies

The prevalence of asymptomatic leishmaniasis in the general population of Croatia has not been studied to date. To assess the prevalence of Leishmania infantum specific IgG antibodies among immunocompetent residents of Croatia, sera from 2,035 persons (eastern coast of Adriatic Sea, n=1,186; Adriatic islands, n=653; mainland, n=196), were tested by an enzyme immunoassay. A total of 231 (11.4%) persons had anti-Leishmania antibodies. Multivariate analysis revealed that seropositivity was associated with geographic location and age. Residents of coastal areas and islands were significantly more seropositive than mainland residents (odds ratios (OR) 20.37 to 28.51). Moderate to high anti-Leishmania seroprevalence was found throughout the eastern Adriatic coast and islands (4.0% to 22.2%) including the sites previously considered non-endemic. A highly endemic focus was identified in central coastal Dalmatia (seroprevalence 22.2%; OR: 1.72; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.33-2.22). Regarding age, children aged 0-9 years were the most vulnerable group for asymptomatic Leishmania infection (OR: 2.19; 95% CI: 1.16-4.14).

scholarly journals Association of human herpesvirus 6 infection with exanthem subitum in Belem, Brazil

1995 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 489-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. B. de Freitas ◽  
A. C. Linhares ◽  
C. S. Oliveira ◽  
R. H. P. Gusmão ◽  
M. I. S. Linhares
Keyword(s):  
Lymph Node ◽  
Cervical Lymph Node ◽  
Human Herpesvirus ◽  
Human Herpesvirus 6 ◽  
Antibody Assay ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Exanthem Subitum ◽  
Lymph Node Swelling ◽  
Herpesvirus 6 ◽  
Immunofluorescence Antibody

Recent human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) infection was detected in cases of exanthem subitum (ES) involving four children, aged 10 to 24 months, between April and August 1994, in Belém, Brazil. By using the indirect immunofluorescence antibody assay (IFA), significant increases (at least eight times) in antibody concentrations were noted from the acute to the convalescent serum samples, with titers ranging from <1:10/1:80 to <1:10/1:640 (patients 3 and 2, respectively). All children had high fever (over 39ºC) for three days, followed by generalized, maculo-papular skin rash. A physical examination of the children also revealed concomitant, cervical lymph node swelling and tonsillar pharyngitis in two of them.

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.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of West Nile fever virus in horses in the Belgrade epizootiological area

2020 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
pp. 194-201
Author(s):  
Ljubisa Veljovic ◽  
Jelena Maksimovic-Zoric ◽  
Vladimir Radosavljevic ◽  
Slobodan Stanojevic ◽  
Jadranka Zutic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Population ◽  
Viral Disease ◽  
Fever Virus ◽  
West Nile Fever ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Horse Population ◽  
Specific Igg ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
The City

West Nile fever is a vector borne viral disease that can affect humans, horses, birds and sometimes other species of animals. Every year West Nile fever is detected in the human population in Serbia. The disease often occurs in a subclinical form, but most clinically evident cases occur in horses. Therefore, horses are recommended as a sentinel species for monitoring the general incidence of West Nile fever in a specific territory. Our goal was to determine the prevalence of antibodies against West Nile fever virus in horses in the Belgrade epizootiological area. We examined serum samples from 77 horses to determine the seroprevalence of West Nile fever virus in horses throughout the city of Belgrade. Sera were tested by commercial ELISA tests for detection of specific IgG-class antibodies to West Nile fever virus and for the detection of specific IgM-class antibodies to confirm the presence of old and acute (recent) infections in horses. The results confirmed that West Nile fever virus is widespread, detected in 70.1% of the surveyed horse population in Belgrade, and we also detected 5.1% of acute cases had occurred due to horses being infected in 2019. The seroprevalence of West Nile virus in the horse population in the municipality of Belgrade is increasing.

scholarly journals Antigenic diversity and seroprevalences of Torque teno viruses in children and adults by ORF2-based immunoassays

2013 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 409-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tingting Chen ◽  
Elina Väisänen ◽  
Petri S. Mattila ◽  
Klaus Hedman ◽  
Maria Söderlund-Venermo
Keyword(s):  
Serum Samples ◽  
Phylogenetic Groups ◽  
Single Strain ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Antiviral Antibody ◽  
Specific Igg ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Multiple Strains ◽  
Antigenic Relationships

Torque teno viruses (TTVs) circulate widely among humans, causing persistent viraemia in healthy individuals. Numerous TTV isolates with high genetic variability have been identified and segregated into 29 species of five major phylogenetic groups. To date, the diversity of TTV sequences, challenges in protein expression and the subsequent lack of serological assays have hampered TTV seroprevalence studies. Moreover, the antigenic relationships of different TTVs and their specific seroprevalences in humans remain unknown. For five TTV strains – belonging to different species of four genogroups – we developed, using recombinant glutathione S-transferase (GST)-fused TTV ORF2 proteins, glutathione–GST capture enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) detecting antibodies towards conformational epitopes. We then analysed serum samples from 178 healthy adults and 108 children; IgG reactivities were observed either towards a single strain or towards multiple strains, which pointed to antigenic distinction of TTV species. The overall seroprevalence for the five TTVs peaked at 43 % (18 of 42) in children 2–4 years of age, subsequently declined, and again reached 42 % (74 of 178) among adults. TTV6 species-specific IgG predominated in children, whereas that for TTV13 predominated in adults. During a 3 year follow-up of the same children, both species-specific seroconversions and seroreversions occurred. This is the first EIA-based study of different TTVs, providing a new approach for seroepidemiology and diagnosis of TTV infections. Our data suggest that different TTVs in humans may differ in antiviral antibody profiles, infection patterns and epidemiology.

scholarly journals Molecular detection and clinical aspects of porcine circovirus 3 infection in pigs from Brazil

2020 ◽  
Vol 72 (5) ◽  
pp. 1731-1736
Author(s):  
A.C.M. Cruz ◽  
I.L.F. Rodrigues ◽  
A.E. Souza ◽  
F.B. Knackfuss ◽  
R.L. Silveira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Detection ◽  
Porcine Circovirus ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Clinical Aspects ◽  
Statistical Association ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Clinical Presentations ◽  
Porcine Circovirus 3 ◽  
Clinical Conditions ◽  
Swine Serum

ABSTRACT Porcine circovirus 3 (PCV-3) DNA has been detected in serum samples from apparently healthy pigs as well as pigs with different clinical conditions. Molecular detection of PCV-3 was observed in swine serum samples from Southeastern - Brazil using a nested PCR designed specifically for this study. The epidemiology and clinical aspects of PCV-3 infection were evaluated. The samples originated from 154 pigs of both genders from different production phases and with different clinical presentations, sampled from 31 pig farms visited between 2013 and 2018. In this study, PCV-3 was detected in 26.7% of samples from all populations across varying ages. Statistical association (P=0.0285) was observed only between animals with respiratory signs and PCV-3; no PCV-3-positive animal had diarrhea. No statistical association was observed between PCV-3 and age, or gender of the pigs. Because PCV-3 is a newly discovered virus, there is very little information about its epidemiology. We hope that these data can help in future studies investigating PCV-3 epidemiology.

scholarly journals Validation of a new automated chemiluminescent anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibody assay system detecting both N and S proteins in Japan

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
RIn Yokoyama ◽  
Makoto Kurano ◽  
Yoshifumi Morita ◽  
Takuya Shimura ◽  
Yuki Nakano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Measurement System ◽  
False Positive ◽  
Laboratory Testing ◽  
Antibody Test ◽  
Measurement Range ◽  
Antibody Assay ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Igg Antibody ◽  
Antibody Titers ◽  
Pcr Test

PCR methods are presently the standard for the diagnosis of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but additional methodologies are needed to complement PCR methods, which have some limitations. Here, we validated and investigated the usefulness of measuring serum antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) using the iFlash3000 CLIA analyzer. We measured IgM and IgG titers against SARS-CoV-2 in sera collected from 26 PCR-positive COVID-19 patients, 53 COVID-19-suspected but PCR-negative patients, and 20 and 100 randomly selected non-COVID-19 patients who visited our hospital in 2020 and 2017, respectively. The within-day and between-day precisions were regarded as good, since the coefficient variations were below 5%. Linearity was also considered good between 0.6 AU/mL and 112.7 AU/mL for SARS-CoV-2 IgM and between 3.2 AU/mL and 55.3 AU/mL for SARS-CoV-2 IgG, while the linearity curves plateaued above the upper measurement range. We also confirmed that the seroconversion and no-antibody titers were over the cutoff values in all 100 serum samples collected in 2017. These results indicate that this measurement system successfully detects SARS-CoV-2 IgM/IgG. We observed four false-positive cases in the IgM assay and no false-positive cases in the IgG assay when 111 serum samples known to contain autoantibodies were evaluated. The concordance rates of the antibody test with the PCR test were 98.1% for SARS-CoV-2 IgM and 100% for IgG among PCR-negative cases and 30.8% for SARS-CoV-2 IgM and 73.1% for SARS-CoV-2 IgG among PCR-positive cases. In conclusion, the performance of this measurement system is sufficient for use in laboratory testing.

scholarly journals Immunogenicity of heterologous prime/booster-inactivated and adenoviral-vectored COVID-19 vaccine: real-world data

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nasamon Wanlapakorn ◽  
Nungruthai Suntronwong ◽  
Harit Phowatthanasathian ◽  
Ritthideach Yorsang ◽  
Thanunrat Thongmee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neutralizing Antibody ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Antibody Activity ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Real World Data ◽  
Comparison Groups ◽  
Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay ◽  
Specific Igg ◽  
Vectored Vaccine ◽  
Sera Samples

Abstract Limited data are available on the responses to heterologous vaccine regimens for SARS-CoV-2, especially among countries using inactivated and adenoviral-vectored vaccines. A total of 77 participants who received heterologous prime/booster-inactivated COVID-19 vaccine and adenoviral-vectored vaccine were enrolled in our study. There were two comparison groups vaccinated with the homologous CoronaVac (N = 79) and AZD1222 (N = 80) regimen. All sera samples were tested for SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor-binding-domain (RBD) IgG using a chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA). The neutralizing activity in a subset of serum samples was tested against the original Wuhan strain and variants of concern, B.1.1.7 and B.1.351, using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT). The CoronaVac followed by the AZD1222 vaccine induced higher levels of spike RBD-specific IgG than that of two-dose CoronaVac or AZD1222 vaccines (p < 0.001). Sera samples of the CoronaVac/AZD1222 vaccine recipients elicited higher neutralizing antibody activity against the original Wuhan and the B.1.351 strain than in the recipients of the two-dose CoronaVac or AZD1222. Following the inactivated CoronaVac/adenoviral-vectored (AZD1222) vaccination administered 14–72 days apart, participants receiving the heterologous vaccine regimen had higher spike RBD-specific IgG and neutralizing activities than the homologous CoronaVac vaccine recipients.

scholarly journals Presence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum and Leishmania infantum in dogs from Piauí

2011 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcos Gomes Lopes ◽  
Ivete Lopes Mendonça ◽  
Kleber Portela Fortes ◽  
Marcos Amaku ◽  
Hilda de Fátima Jesus Pena ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Leishmania Infantum ◽  
Neospora Caninum ◽  
Fluorescent Antibody ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Leishmania Infection ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Leishmania Spp ◽  
And Gender

This study aimed to evaluate the presence of antibodies against Neospora caninum, Toxoplasma gondii and Leishmania infantum in dogs attended at the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Piauí, Northeastern Brazil, where there are no reports of the occurrence of N. caninum and T. gondii in dogs. Serum samples from 530 dogs of genders, different ages and breeds from the municipality of Teresina and nearby towns were analyzed using three indirect fluorescent antibody tests, each one targeting one of the three agents. The associations between the parasites and gender, breed and age of the dogs were assessed by the chi-square test (p > 0.05). The occurrence of antibodies to N. caninum, T. gondii and L. infantum was 3.2, 18.0 and 78.1%, respectively. Toxoplasma gondii was more frequently found in older dogs (p < 0.05) whereas L. infantum was more common in animals aged between 1 to 3 years (p < 0.05). In order to evaluate potential associations between the presence of anti-N. caninum and anti-T. gondii antibodies and Leishmania infection, 240 dogs were selected (120 positive and 120 negative for Leishmania spp.), based on serological and parasitological diagnoses. No association was found between Leishmania spp. and the coccidian parasites (p > 0.05). The results confirm the exposure of dogs to these parasites in the State of Piauí.

scholarly journals Neo-antigens for the serological diagnosis of IgE-mediated drug allergic reactions to antibiotics cephalosporin, carbapenem and monobactam

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Edurne Peña-Mendizabal ◽  
Sergi Morais ◽  
Ángel Maquieira
Keyword(s):  
Drug Allergy ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Specific Ige ◽  
In Vitro Tests ◽  
Allergic Reactions ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Lactam Ring ◽  
Specific Igg ◽  
Ige Mediated

Abstract New antigens deriving from -lloyl and -llanyl, major and minor determinants, respectively, were produced for β-lactam antibiotics cefuroxime, cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, meropenem and aztreonam. Twenty β-lactam antigens were produced using human serum albumin and histone H1 as carrier proteins. Antigens were tested by multiplex in vitro immunoassays and evaluated based on the detection of specific IgG and IgE in the serum samples. Both major and minor determinants were appropriate antigens for detecting specific anti-β-lactam IgG in immunised rabbit sera. In a cohort of 37 allergic patients, we observed that only the minor determinants (-llanyl antigens) were suitable for determining specific anti-β-lactam IgE antibodies with high sensitivity (< 0.01 IU/mL; 24 ng/L) and specificity (100%). These findings reveal that not only the haptenisation of β-lactam antibiotics renders improved molecular recognition events when the 4-member β-lactam ring remains unmodified, but also may contribute to develop promising minor antigens suitable for detecting specific IgE-mediated allergic reactions. This will facilitate the development of sensitive and selective multiplexed in vitro tests for drug-allergy diagnoses to antibiotics cephalosporin, carbapenem and monobactam.

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