scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence in Household Domestic Ferrets (Mustela putorius furo)

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 667
Author(s):  
Jacobo Giner ◽  
Sergio Villanueva-Saz ◽  
Ana Pilar Tobajas ◽  
María Dolores Pérez ◽  
Ana González ◽  
...  

Animal infections with SARS-CoV-2 have been reported in different countries and several animal species have been proven to be susceptible to infection with SARS-CoV-2 both naturally and by experimental infection. Moreover, infections under natural conditions in more than 20 mink farms have been reported where humans could have been the source of infection for minks. However, little information is available about the susceptibility of pet animals under natural conditions and currently there is no SARS-CoV-2 epidemiological assessment occurrence in household ferrets. In this study, the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was evaluated in serum samples obtained from 127 household ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) in the Province of Valencia (Spain). Two ferrets tested positive to SARS-CoV-2 (1.57%) by in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay based on receptor binding domain (RBD) of Spike antigen. Furthermore, anti-RBD SARS-CoV-2 antibodies persisted at detectable levels in a seropositive SARS-CoV-2 domestic ferret beyond 129 days since the first time antibodies were detected. This study reports for the first time the evidence of household pet ferrets exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in Spain to date.

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 2
Author(s):  
Ruenruetai Udonsom ◽  
Yoshifumi Nishikawa ◽  
Ragab M. Fereig ◽  
Thitirat Topisit ◽  
Natchakorn Kulkaweewut ◽  
...  

Toxoplasma gondii is the causative agent of toxoplasmosis in humans and various animal species worldwide. In Thailand, seroprevalence studies on T. gondii have focused on domestic animals, and information on infections in Asian elephants (Elephas maximus indicus) is scarce. This study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in archival sera collected from 268 elephants living in Thailand. The serum samples were analyzed for anti-T. gondii immunoglobulin G antibodies using the latex agglutination test (LAT) and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA) based on T. gondii lysate antigen (TLA-iELISA) and recombinant T. gondii dense granular antigen 8 protein (TgGRA8-iELISA). The prevalence of antibodies against T. gondii was 45.1% (121/268), 40.7% (109/268), and 44.4% (119/268) using LAT, TLA-iELISA, and TgGRA8-iELISA, respectively. Young elephants had a higher seropositivity rate than elephants aged >40 years (odds ratio = 6.6; p < 0.001; 95% confidence interval: 2.9–15.4). When LAT was used as the reference, TLA-iELISA and TgGRA8-iELISA showed a substantial (κ = 0.69) and moderate (κ = 0.42) agreement, respectively. Although our findings suggest the widespread exposure of Asian elephants to T. gondii in Thailand, the source of infection was not investigated. Therefore, investigation of the predisposing factors associated with toxoplasmosis is necessary to identify the potential risk factors for infection.


Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) was isolated for the first time in Sweden in 1958 (from ticks and from 1 tick-borne encephalitis [TBE] patient).1 In 2003, Haglund and colleagues reported the isolation and antigenic and genetic characterization of 14 TBEV strains from Swedish patients (samples collected 1991–1994).2 The first serum sample, from which TBEV was isolated, was obtained 2–10 days after onset of disease and found to be negative for anti-TBEV immunoglobulin M (IgM) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), whereas TBEV-specific IgM (and TBEV-specific immunoglobulin G/cerebrospinal fluid [IgG/CSF] activity) was demonstrated in later serum samples taken during the second phase of the disease.


Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 725
Author(s):  
David Becerro-Recio ◽  
Javier González-Miguel ◽  
Alberto Ucero ◽  
Javier Sotillo ◽  
Álvaro Martínez-Moreno ◽  
...  

Excretory/secretory products released by helminth parasites have been widely studied for their diagnostic utility, immunomodulatory properties, as well as for their use as vaccines. Due to their location at the host/parasite interface, the characterization of parasite secretions is important to unravel the molecular interactions governing the relationships between helminth parasites and their hosts. In this study, the excretory/secretory products from adult worms of the trematode Fasciola hepatica (FhES) were employed in a combination of two-dimensional electrophoresis, immunoblot and mass spectrometry, to analyze the immune response elicited in sheep during the course of an experimental infection. Ten different immunogenic proteins from FhES recognized by serum samples from infected sheep at 4, 8, and/or 12 weeks post-infection were identified. Among these, different isoforms of cathepsin L and B, peroxiredoxin, calmodulin, or glutathione S-transferase were recognized from the beginning to the end of the experimental infection, suggesting their potential role as immunomodulatory antigens. Furthermore, four FhES proteins (C2H2-type domain-containing protein, ferritin, superoxide dismutase, and globin-3) were identified for the first time as non-immunogenic proteins. These results may help to further understand host/parasite relationships in fasciolosis, and to identify potential diagnostic molecules and drug target candidates of F. hepatica.


Author(s):  
K. Magwedere ◽  
A. Bishi ◽  
G. Tjipura-Zaire ◽  
G. Eberle ◽  
Y. Hemberger ◽  
...  

A confirmed case of human brucellosis motivated an investigation into the potential source of infection in Namibia. Since domestic animals are principal sources of Brucella infection in humans, 1692 serum samples were screened from sheep, goats and cattle from 4 presumably at-risk farms and 900 springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) serum samples from 29 mixed farming units for Brucella antibodies by the Rose-Bengal test (RBT) and positive cases confirmed by complement fixation test (CFT). To assess the prevalence of human brucellosis, 137 abattoir employees were tested for Brucella antibodies using the standard tube agglutination test (STAT) and by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cattle and sheep from all 4 farms were negative by RBT and CFT but 2 of the 4 farms (Ba and C) had 26/42 and 12/285 seropositive goats, respectively. Post mortem examination of seropositive goats revealed no gross pathological lesions typical of brucellosis except enlarged mesenteric and iliac lymph nodes seen in a single buck. Culture for brucellae from organs of seropositive animals was negative. None of the wildlife sera tested positive by either RBT or CFT. Interviews revealed that besides the case that prompted the investigation, a family and another person from other farms with confirmed brucellosis shared a common history of consumption of unpasteurised goat milk, home-made goat cheese and coffee with raw milk and prior contact with goats, suggesting goats as the likely source of infection. All 137 abattoir employees tested negative by STAT, but 3 were positive by ELISA. The 3 abattoir workers were clinically normal and lacked historical connections with clinical cases. Although goats are often associated with B. melitensis, these studies could not explicitly implicate this species owing to cross-reactivity with B. abortus, which can also infect goats. Nevertheless, these data reinforce the need for a better National Control Programme for brucellosis in Namibia.


2019 ◽  
Vol 88 (4) ◽  
pp. 385-391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sibel Gür ◽  
Bünyamin İrehan ◽  
Metin Gürçay ◽  
Turhan Turan

Equine arteritis virus is classified in the Arteriviridae family and causes reproductive and respiratory disorders. The host spectrum includes many species of the Equidae family. Horses, donkeys and mules are the most sensitive species. The infection was serologically investigated in adult donkeys on small private family type enterprises in eastern and south-eastern Anatolia in this study. A total of 1,532 samples were collected from 28 different locations in 6 different provinces in these two regions. The number of donkeys sampled from each farm was between 1 and 3. Serum samples were tested by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). As a result of sero-controls, 53 animals were positive (3.45%). The presence of infection was determined in all the provinces; Elazığ (7%, 17/241), Tunceli (2.4%, 3/122), Van (2.9%, 10/342), Bitlis (4.6%, 5/107), Şırnak (2.7%, 12/440) and Siirt (2.1%, 6/280). Seropositivity was detected in 22 of the 28 locations. In this study, data were obtained from a significant number of animals for the first time in these regions. Although the values were not high, the findings revealed the presence of infection in the majority of the investigated sites. Despite the fact that the incidence was not high in donkeys probably due to restricted management conditions, the incidence may increase over time and may pose a risk for thoroughbred horses unless necessary measures are taken.


2011 ◽  
Vol 80 (4) ◽  
pp. 331-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eddy Listeš ◽  
Sanja Bosnić ◽  
Miroslav Benić ◽  
Josip Madić ◽  
Željko Cvetnić ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to provide a description of the first epidemic of bluetongue and the first survey on midges of the genus Culicoides in Croatia. Clinical signs were firstly observed on November 2001 in sheep in Konavle, Dubrovnik – Neretva County. During this epizootic the overall sheep morbidity and mortality were 5.2% (95% confidence interval (c.i.), 4.1-6.6%) and 2.29% (95% c.i., 1.6-3.3%), respectively. After the outbreak, 3,318 serum samples of ruminants from 53 villages of the Dubrovnik – Neretva County were examined for bluetongue virus (BTV) antibodies by competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA). In forty nine (92.45%, 95% c.i., 82.11-96.92%) of the 53 villages, animals with antibodies against bluetongue virus were found. In particular, a total of 178 cattle (49.86%, 95% c.i., 44.7-55.0%), 174 sheep (13.72%, 95% c.i., 11.9-15.7%) and 270 goats (15.95%, 95% c.i., 14.3-17.8%) were seropositive. Antibodies to bluetongue virus serotype 9 were detected in 212 positive sera by serum neutralization test. The percentage of positive animals decreased (P > 0.05) from the east to the west suggesting a possible east westward spreading of BTV infection. Fourteen light-trap midge collections from seven different sites were examined. Of the 4872 Culicoides spp. collected, 4,492 (92%, 95% c.i., 91.4-92.9%) of them belonged to the species of Obsoletus complex. This study showed for the first time that a pathogenic strain of BTV-9, probably from Montenegro, entered Croatia causing disease and death in local sheep and that C. obsoletus and C. scoticus were likely the major vectors of infection.


2011 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucyna Holec-Gąsior ◽  
Bartłomiej Ferra ◽  
Dorota Drapała ◽  
Dariusz Lautenbach ◽  
Józef Kur

ABSTRACTThis study presents an evaluation of the MIC1 (microneme protein 1)-MAG1 (matrix antigen 1)Toxoplasma gondiirecombinant chimeric antigen for the serodiagnosis of human toxoplasmosis for the first time. The recombinant MIC1-MAG1 antigen was obtained as a fusion protein containing His tags at the N- and C-terminal ends using anEscherichia coliexpression system. After purification by metal affinity chromatography, the chimeric protein was tested for usefulness in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of anti-T. gondiiimmunoglobulin G (IgG). One hundred ten sera from patients at different stages of infection and 40 sera from seronegative patients were examined. The results obtained for the MIC1-MAG1 chimeric antigen were compared with those of IgG ELISAs using aToxoplasmalysate antigen (TLA), a combination of recombinant antigens (rMIC1ex2-rMAG1) and single recombinant proteins (rMIC1ex2 and rMAG1). The sensitivity of the IgG ELISA calculated from all of the positive serum samples was similar for the MIC1-MAG1 chimeric antigen (90.8%) and the TLA (91.8%), whereas the sensitivities of the other antigenic samples used were definitely lower, at 69.1% for the mixture of antigens, 75.5% for the rMIC1ex2, and 60% for rMAG1. This study demonstrates that the MIC1-MAG1 recombinant chimeric antigen can be used instead of the TLA in the serodiagnosis of human toxoplasmosis.


2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 1088
Author(s):  
A. GAVRILOVIĆ ◽  
P. GAVRILOVIĆ ◽  
S. RADOJIČIĆ ◽  
D. KRNJAIĆ

Bluetongue (BT) is a viral non-contagious disease of ruminants which is transmitted by insects of the genus Culicoides. In recent years, BT has been a serious threat to livestock and to the economies of European countries. In Serbia the disease appeared for the first time in 2001, and after a 12 year period of freedom, it broke out again in 2014. Considering the actuality of this infectious disease, especially the need for prompt and rapid diagnostics, the aim of this paper was to determine the possibility of detecting the serological response in sheep and cattle with manifested clinical signs of the disease using two different methods: double recognition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (sELISA) and competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA). A total of 105 blood serum samples of cattle and sheep, which had exhibited clinical signs of BT during 2014, were taken for examination from a serum bank. Out of 74 blood serum samples of sheep and 31 blood serum samples of cattle, 52 samples of sheep and 18 samples of cattle tested positive using sELISA, while 50 samples of sheep and 18 samples of cattle gave positive reactions with cELISA. The results confirm the high sensitivity of sELISA which detected 4% more seropositive sheep in comparison with cELISA. Using Cohen’s kappa statistical analysis, almost perfect agreement was determined between the results (k>0,81) obtained by cELISA and sELISA.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ritthideach Yorsaeng ◽  
Nungruthai Suntronwong ◽  
Harit Phowatthanasathian ◽  
Suvichada Assawakosri ◽  
Sitthichai Kanokudom ◽  
...  

In June 2021, Thailand was hit by the delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 resulting in the biggest wave of COVID-19. Due to the widespread delta variant, more than 600 healthcare workers had COVID-19 despite completion of two-dose CoronaVac. The Ministry of Public Health recommended that healthcare workers received a third dose of AZD1222 to increase level of protection against SARS-CoV-2. However, immune response after the third vaccination with AZD1222 are limited. In this study, sera from those who received a booster of AZD1222 in June-July 2021 were tested for SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor-binding-domain (RBD) IgG, anti-RBD total immunoglobulins and anti-spike protein 1 (S1) IgA. The neutralizing activities in a subset of serum samples were tested against the wild type and variants of concern (B.1.1.7, B.1.617.2, and B.1.351) using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-based surrogate virus neutralization test. Participants who received the booster of AZD1222 possessed higher levels of spike RBD-specific IgG, total immunoglobulins, and anti-S1 IgA than that two-dose vaccines (p < 0.001). They also elicited higher neutralizing activity against the wild type and all variants of concern than those in the recipients of the two-dose vaccines. This study demonstrated a high immunogenicity of the AZD1222 booster who completed the two-dose inactivated vaccines.


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