scholarly journals Serological, Molecular and Culture-Based Diagnosis of Lentiviral Infections in Small Ruminants

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 1711
Author(s):  
Aphrodite I. Kalogianni ◽  
Ioannis Stavropoulos ◽  
Serafeim C. Chaintoutis ◽  
Ioannis Bossis ◽  
Athanasios I. Gelasakis
Keyword(s):  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Standard Test ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
Humoral Immune ◽  
Gold Standard Test ◽  
Specific Antibody Production ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity ◽  
Lentiviral Infections ◽  
Control And Eradication

Small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLVs) infections lead to chronic diseases and remarkable economic losses undermining health and welfare of animals and the sustainability of farms. Early and definite diagnosis of SRLVs infections is the cornerstone for any control and eradication efforts; however, a “gold standard” test and/or diagnostic protocols with extensive applicability have yet to be developed. The main challenges preventing the development of a universally accepted diagnostic tool with sufficient sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy to be integrated in SRLVs control programs are the genetic variability of SRLVs associated with mutations, recombination, and cross-species transmission and the peculiarities of small ruminants’ humoral immune response regarding late seroconversion, as well as intermittent and epitope-specific antibody production. The objectives of this review paper were to summarize the available serological and molecular assays for the diagnosis of SRLVs, to highlight their diagnostic performance emphasizing on advantages and drawbacks of their application, and to discuss current and future perspectives, challenges, limitations and impacts regarding the development of reliable and efficient tools for the diagnosis of SRLVs infections.

Multiplex PCR, Clinical Amsel’s Criteria and Microbiological Nugent Score for Diagnosis of Bacterial Vaginosis and Detection of its Virulence

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-152
Author(s):  
Eman H. Salem ◽  
Heba M. Abo shady ◽  
Sanaa S. Hamam
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Vaginosis ◽  
Multiplex Pcr ◽  
Gold Standard ◽  
Standard Test ◽  
Pcr Detection ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Nugent Score ◽  
Gold Standard Test ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity ◽  
Better Than

Background: bacterial vaginosis is universally the commonest vaginal infection in reproductively active females. It causes major consequences as preterm labor, predisposing to sexually-transmitted infections and HIV infections. Although it is a public health concern, no one knows exactly its pathogenesis when some say that it is just disturbance in vaginal floral balance predisposing to clinical symptoms and signs, where the predominant Lactobacilli in vagina become replaced by other facultative and anaerobic bacteria. Objective: To evaluate different diagnostic tests, Amsel’s criteria and PCR and their ability to diagnose bacterial vaginosis in comparison to the gold standard test, Nugent score in terms of sensitivity, specificity, NPV and PPV. Also test for prevalence of BV among included females. Methodology: screening was done for all females in presence or absence of Amsel’s criteria. Wet mount along with Gram stained films were examined in Microbiology lab and Nugent score was calculated for every patient. Cervico-vaginal aspirate samples were collected for detection of G. vaginalis, Lactobacilli and Sialidase enzyme by multiplex PCR. Results: Using Nugent score patients were categorized into bacterial vaginosis (BV) group (32%), non-BV group (51%) and 17 % were in intermediate group. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of whole Amsel’s criteria (100, 80.4, 76.2 and 100 % respectively) were better than using any criterion alone. Using multiplex PCR, detection of G. vaginalis (100%) and sialidase gene (93.7%) were higher in BV group and Lactobacilli gene (100%) higher in non-BV group with statistically high significant difference. Multiplex PCR detection of G. vaginalis has sensitivity (100%), specificity (92.2%), PPV (88.9%) and NPV (100%) for diagnosis of BV in relation to the gold standard test, Nugent score. Conclusion: using Amsel’s criteria as a whole is better than using individual criteria for diagnosing BV with highest sensitivity, specificity, NPV and PPV. Combined PCR detection of G. vaginalis and sialidase gene can predict occurrence of virulent BV infection. BV is associated with significant loss of protective Lactobacilli.

Accuracy of paratuberculosis diagnostic tests in small ruminants: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 98-102
Author(s):  
S. Buczinski ◽  
J. Arsenault ◽  
P. Kostoulas ◽  
F. Corbière ◽  
G. Fecteau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Standard Test ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Systematic Review Protocol ◽  
Ruminant Species ◽  
Gold Standard Test ◽  
Review Protocol

AbstractParatuberculosis is a worldwide infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (MAP). Various ruminant species can be affected by the disease, and the diagnosis of the disease is challenging in the absence of a gold standard test. The aim of this systematic review protocol is to determine the accuracy of the direct and indirect diagnostic tests for MAP infection with a special focus on sheep and goats.

scholarly journals Comparison of two methods for the quantification of gastrointestinal nematode infective larvae from pasture

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 712
Author(s):  
Marina Piza ◽  
Fabiana Alves de Almeida ◽  
Cristiano Magalhães Pariz ◽  
Ciniro Costa ◽  
Alessandro Francisco Talamini do Amarante
Keyword(s):  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Gastrointestinal Nematode ◽  
Gastrointestinal Nematodes ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Viable Option ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
Infective Larvae ◽  
Pasture Contamination ◽  
Livestock Systems ◽  
Collection Methods

The economic losses caused by gastrointestinal nematodes are one of the biggest obstacles in the small ruminants production. Understanding the population dynamics of the infective larvae (L3) in the pasture is the key point to develop control programs, and reliable results depend on the used methodology to quantify L3 numbers. The use of the sampling directly from the pasture appears as a viable option, since it is not required the use of animals with an esophageal fistula or tracer animals, decreasing the costs involved in the study. Therefore, the present project, which had as objective evaluate the efficiency of two collection methods for quantification of L3 in the pasture, utilized 64 lambs (n = 16) allocated to four integrated crop-livestock systems (treatments) with 12 paddocks each. Pasture samples were collected every nine days. The W method consists in traversing the area in the form of a W and again an inverted W, forage samples being collected every 10 steps, and the Square method, in tossing a 0.16 m2 square to four random points within the area, the forage within the square being collected after each toss. After the forage samples had been processed, the L3 were recovered and identified. Cohen’s Kappa coefficient (k) was determined. The W-transect and Random-plot methods did not differ (p ? 0.05) with respect to the number of L3 recovered from the pasture, and a positive correlation was found between them, suggesting agreement with one another, being that when the number of L3 recovered by the W-transect method increases, the same occurs in the Random-plot technique. The Random-plot method, which is already used to collect samples of forage for chemical analyses, can also be employed to estimate the pasture contamination by L3. The W-transect and Random-plot methods showed to be important in the epidemiological study of gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep. Therefore, the use of both on the same occasions and with different purposes, with one complementing the information that is not provided by the other, may be more effective in the investigation of environmental contamination by L3 of gastrointestinal nematodes.

scholarly journals Diagnosis of subclinical ketosis in dairy cows

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-125
Author(s):  
Radojica Djokovic ◽  
Zoran Ilic ◽  
Vladimir Kurcubic ◽  
Milos Petrovic ◽  
Marko Cincovic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Gold Standard ◽  
Ketone Body ◽  
Ketone Bodies ◽  
Standard Test ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Lactation Period ◽  
Subclinical Ketosis ◽  
Gold Standard Test ◽  
Increased Risk

Ketosis is a common disease in high producing dairy cows during the early lactation period. Subclinical ketosis (SCK) and periparturient diseases considerably account for economic and welfare losses in dairy cows. Subclinical ketosis poses an increased risk of production-related diseases such as clinical ketosis, displaced abomasum, retained placenta, lameness, mastitis and metritis. Production efficiency decreases (lower milk production, poor fertility, and increased culling rates), which results in economic losses. Increased concentrations of circulating ketone bodies, predominantly ?-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), without the presence of clinical signs of ketosis are considered as SCK. It is characterized by increased levels of ketone bodies in the blood, urine and milk. The gold standard test for ketosis is blood BHB. This ketone body is more stable in blood than acetone or acetoacetate. The most commonly used cut-points for subclinical ketosis are 1.2 mmol/L or 1.4 mmol/L for BHB in the blood. Clinical ketosis generally involves much higher levels of BHB, about 3.0 mmol/L or more. Usually, detection of SCK is carried out by testing ketone body concentrations in blood, urine and milk. A variety of laboratory and cowside tests are available for monitoring ketosis in dairy herds. But no cowside test has perfect sensitivity and specificity compared to blood BHB as the gold standard test. The aim of this review is to overview diagnostic tests for SCK in dairy cows, including laboratory and cowside tests.

scholarly journals Diagnostic Value of Immature-to-Total Neutrophil Ratio in Neonatal Sepsis

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 166-170
Author(s):  
Husnain Ali ◽  
Ejaz Hussain ◽  
Imran Mahmood Khan ◽  
Iqtada Haider Shirazi ◽  
Muhammad Imran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Culture ◽  
Diagnostic Accuracy ◽  
Neonatal Sepsis ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Gold Standard ◽  
Diagnostic Value ◽  
Standard Test ◽  
Negative Blood Culture ◽  
Gold Standard Test ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

Background: Neonatal sepsis is the third most common reason of neonatal mortality in Pakistan. Blood culture, the gold standard test for diagnosis of neonatal sepsis, is time consuming. Therefore, rapid diagnostic tests with good specificity and sensitivity is needed for accurate and early diagnosis of this condition. The objective of this study was to determine the diagnostic value of abnormal (≥ 0.2) immature-to-total-neutrophil ratio in neonatal sepsis.Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 288 neonates, aged 0-28 days, admitted with suspected sepsis. Detailed history of the neonates was recorded including gender, age, birth weight, maternal age, gestational age and clinical features. Blood culture and Peripheral blood films were done in each case. Differential leucocyte counts, total Polymorphoneutrophil count (PMN), immature neutrophil count, mature neutrophil count and calculation of I/T ratio was carried out in the Pathology Department of PIMS, Islamabad. The study outcome was divided into three groups on the basis of positive or negative blood culture and I/T ratio as normal, probable sepsis and proven sepsis group. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 21.0. Diagnostic value of I/T ratio was determined in NS by calculating values of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) by considering the blood culture as the gold standard test of NS.Results: The mean age and weight of the neonates at the time of admission was 1.1 (± 0.6) days and 2.51 (± 0.40) kg, respectively. About 60% of the neonates were males and 118(41%) neonates had I/T ratio of ≥ 0.2. On the basis of positive or negative blood culture and I/T ratio, 82 (28.5%) neonates were diagnosed as proven sepsis, 43 (14.9%) neonates had probable sepsis and remaining 163 (56.6%) neonates were declared as normal. Out of 82 neonates with positive blood cultures, 75 (91.5%) had I/T ratio ≥ 0.2, while 7 (8.5%) had I/T ratio ≤ 0.2. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of abnormal I/T ratio to diagnose neonatal sepsis was 91%, 79%, 64%, 96% and 83%, respectively.Conclusions: Due to substantially high diagnostic accuracy of I/T ratio ≥ 0.2, we recommend it as a useful, rapid and cost-effective tool in accurate diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.

scholarly journals Evaluation of an Immunoassay-Based Algorithm for Screening and Identification ofGiardiaandCryptosporidiumAntigens in Human Faecal Specimens from Saudi Arabia

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yousry Hawash
Keyword(s):  
Predictive Value ◽  
Standard Test ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Gold Standard Test ◽  
Random Samples ◽  
Screening And Identification ◽  
Stool Specimens ◽  
Commercial Kits ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity ◽  
Human Stool

An immunoassay-based algorithm, involving three commercial kits, was introduced and evaluated for screening and identification ofGiardia/Cryptosporidiumantigens in human stool specimens. Initially,Giardia/CryptosporidiumChek kit (TechLab), an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), was adopted for screening. The ELISA-positive reactions were subsequently characterised by RIDA QuickGiardiaand RIDA QuickCryptosporidiumimmunochromatographic kits (R-Biopharm). A gold standard test comprising PCR and microscopy was used for preparing control samples. Performance of individual kits was tested against these samples which included 50Giardia-positive, 40Cryptosporidium-positive, and 70Cryptosporidium/Giardia-negative. ForCryptosporidium, specificities of the ELISA and RIDA QuickCryptosporidiumkits were 95.71% and 100%, respectively. Both kits demonstrated sensitivity of 95%. ForGiardia, the ELISA and RIDA QuickGiardiakits showed sensitivities of 100% and 97.5%, respectively. Specificities obtained by the ELISA and RIDA QuickGiardiawere 95.7% and 100%, respectively. Based on the results of two reference PCRs, on 250 random samples, the algorithm exhibited sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 97.06%, 100.00%, 100.00%, and 98.91%, respectively. In conclusion, this immunoassay-based algorithm can be used as routine test in diagnostic laboratories for screening and identification of a large number of samples.

scholarly journals Postanesthetic Cold Sensibility Test as an Indicator for the Efficacy of Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block in Patients with Symptomatic Irreversible Pulpitis of Mandibular Molars

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Mohamed El Sayed ◽  
Kamis Gaballah
Keyword(s):  
Gold Standard ◽  
Pain Perception ◽  
Inferior Alveolar Nerve ◽  
Cold Test ◽  
Standard Test ◽  
Youden Index ◽  
Gold Standard Test ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity ◽  
Pulpal Anesthesia ◽  
Irreversible Pulpitis

Aim of the Work. The goal of the current study was to investigate the capability of the cold test to predict the profound pulpal anesthesia before starting the endodontic treatment of mandibular first molars with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (SIP). Materials and Methods. This study was conducted on the mandibular first molars of 54 patients (35 males and 19 females) with signs and symptoms of SIP. To anesthetize the affected molars, all patients received a single carpule of 2% lidocaine with 1 : 100000 epinephrine using a standardized inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) technique. The cold test was conducted before beginning the endodontic procedures and after gaining lip numbness, and the results were reported as either positive or negative response. The root canal preparation (RCP) was then initiated and the patients’ responses were documented (Gold standard test). True pulpal anesthetic failure was described as a pain perception during the access cavity and pulp tissue removal. True pulpal anesthesia was defined as no pain or discomfort during the access cavity and pulp extirpation. The qualitative variables frequencies and percentages of patients with true/false positive and negative responses were determined and then compared using the Chi-square test. The pain perception of male and female patients during the cold test and gold standard was compared using the Fisher exact test. The following diagnostic parameters were calculated using an online statistical calculator: sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, accuracy, and Youden index. In addition, a receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was constructed and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated. Results. The overall percentage of actual failure of pupal anesthesia was 57%. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, accuracy, and Youden index for the cold test were 0.87, 0.91, 0.93, 0.84, 0.89, and 0.78, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between male and female patients regarding their responses to cold testing and the gold standard test ( P > 0.05 ). Besides, the patients’ reactions to the cold test were significantly matched with their reactions to the gold standard test ( P < 0.05 ). The area under the ROC was mostly 0.9. Conclusion. The cold test could be a valuable and accurate method for predicting the potential pupal anesthesia before beginning the endodontic treatment of mandibular molars with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis, particularly after obtaining postanesthetic soft tissue numbness.

Comparison of Two Tests to Determine the Maximal Aerobic Speed

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 252-262
Author(s):  
Benhammou Saddek ◽  
Jérémy B.J. Coquart ◽  
Laurent Mourot ◽  
Belkadi Adel ◽  
Mokkedes Moulay Idriss ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physiological Responses ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Lactate Concentration ◽  
Blood Lactate Concentration ◽  
Random Order ◽  
Standard Test ◽  
Maximal Heart Rate ◽  
Distance Runners ◽  
Gold Standard Test ◽  
Maximal Aerobic Speed

SummaryThe aims of this study were (a): to compare maximal physiological responses (maximal heart rate: HRmax and blood lactate concentration: [La-]) and maximal aerobic speed (MAS) achieved during a gold standard test (T-VAM) to those during a new test entitled: the 150-50 Intermittent Test (150-50IT), and (b): to test the reliability of the 150-50IT. Eighteen middle-distance runners performed, in a random order, the T-VAM and the 150-50IT. Moreover, the runners performed a second 150-50IT (retest). The results of this study showed that the MAS obtained during 150-50IT were significantly higher than the MAS during the T-VAM (19.1 ± 0.9 vs. 17.9 ± 0.9 km.h−1, p < 0.001). There was also significant higher values in HRmax (193 ± 4 vs. 191 ± 2 bpm, p = 0.011), [La-] (11.4 ± 0.4 vs. 11.0 ± 0.5 mmol.L−1, p = 0.039) during the 150-50IT. Nevertheless, significant correlations were noted for MAS (r = 0.71, p = 0.001) and HRmax (r = 0.63, p = 0.007). MAS obtained during the first 150-50IT and the retest were not significantly different (p = 0.76) and were significantly correlated (r = 0.94, p < 0.001, intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.93 and coefficient of variation = 6.8 %). In conclusion, the 150-50IT is highly reproducible, but the maximal physiological responses derived from both tests cannot be interchangeable in the design of training programs.

scholarly journals Global Distribution and Genetic Heterogeneity of Border Disease Virus

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 950
Author(s):  
Cecilia Righi ◽  
Stefano Petrini ◽  
Ilaria Pierini ◽  
Monica Giammarioli ◽  
Gian Mario De Mia
Keyword(s):  
Disease Virus ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Interspecies Transmission ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Border Disease Virus ◽  
Diarrhea Virus ◽  
Geographical Regions ◽  
Border Disease

Border disease virus (BDV) belongs to the genus Pestivirus of the family Flaviviridae. Interspecies transmission of BDV between sheep, cattle, and pigs occurs regularly, sometimes making diagnosis a challenge. BDV can yield substantial economic losses, including prenatal and postnatal infections in lambs, which are the primary source of infection and maintenance of the virus in the population. Since BDV is antigenically and genetically related to bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), it might pose a significant risk to cattle, influencing BVDV eradication campaigns. Similarly, the presence of BDV in swine herds due to pestivirus spillover between small ruminants and pigs might cause uncertainty in classical swine fever virus (CSFV) diagnostics. Therefore, knowledge of BDV epidemiology in different geographical regions will help prevent its spread and optimize control measures. Previous epidemiological studies have shown that various BDV genotypes are predominant in different countries. This review provides an overview of the spread of BDV world-wide in different host species.

scholarly journals Serological Investigation of Peste Des Petits Ruminants in East Shewa and Arsi Zones, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Getachew Gari ◽  
Biressaw Serda ◽  
Dejene Negesa ◽  
Fethu Lemma ◽  
Hagos Asgedom
Keyword(s):  
Significant Variation ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
High Seroprevalence ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Important Disease

Peste des petits ruminant (PPR) is an economically important disease of small ruminants with a rapidly expanding geographical distribution. There are fragmented reports to the occurrence and distribution of the disease in Ethiopia. A total of 700 serum samples were collected from goats and sheep to detect the presence of antibody against PPR virus using Competitive Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (C-ELISA). An overall PPR seropositivity was reported to be 48.43% in the area. There is no statistically significant difference in the seroprevalence of the disease between sheep and goats (50.85% and 46.68%), respectively. However, there was statistically significant variation (P<0.05) in the seroprevalence of the disease in young (33.9%) and adult (55.8%) age categories. The seroprevalence in male and female was 42.07% and 50.09%, respectively, where the variation was statistically not significant (P>0.05). High seroprevalence of Peste des petites ruminants in the study area indicated the virus circulation and endemicity of the disease. The disease causes substantial economic losses by affecting the livelihood of the farmers. Therefore, control measures should be put in place to minimize the loss associated with the disease.

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