Exposure of Domestic Cats to Distinct Ehrlichia canis TRP Genotypes

Cats naturally exposed to Ehrlichia canis have been described in different regions of the world, but little is known about the genotypes associated with infection in these animals. To detect E. canis-specific antibodies and investigate the E. canis TRP genotypes in cats, serum samples from 76 domestic cats reactive to crude E. canis antigens by the indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT) were analyzed by ELISA, using E. canis-specific peptides (i.e., TRP19 and TRP36 /BR/US/CR). Of these, 25 (32.9%) cats reacted to at least one TRP peptide, confirming their specific exposure to E. canis. Eighteen (23.7%) cats reacted to TRP19, 15 (19.8%) to BRTRP36, and 11 (14.5%) to USTRP36, but none of them reacted to CRTRP36. Eight (10.5%) cats reacted to TRP19 but not to any TRP36 genotype, demonstrating the possible existence of a new E. canis genotype infecting felines. Nevertheless, this study provides the first report of anti-E. canis-specific antibodies in domestic cats.

Direct fluorescence antibody testing augments syphilis diagnosis, compared to serology alone

In Ottawa, Canada, we initiated protocols to include non-serologic syphilis testing, as direct fluorescence antibody (DFA) for patients with syphilis symptoms. The purpose was to assess the ability of DFA to detect syphilis during acute infection and to determine if non-serologic testing could yield an increased number of syphilis diagnoses. We reviewed charts of patients of our local sexual health clinic for whom syphilis was suspected. A total of 69 clinical encounters were recorded for 67 unique patients, most of whom were male. The most common symptom was a painless genital lesion. Of the 67 patients, 29 were found to have a new syphilis diagnosis, among whom, 52% had positive syphilis serology and positive DFA, 34% had a positive syphilis serology and negative DFA, and 14% had negative syphilis serology and positive DFA. While DFA testing did not yield an abundance of new cases, it was useful to support findings from syphilis serology or confirm diagnosis where serology was negative. Where available, alternate non-serologic tests, such as nucleic acid amplification tests, should be considered above DFA due to its higher sensitivity for detecting syphilis in primary lesions; however, in clinical situations, when new syphilis infection is suspected, empiric treatment should not be delayed.

Identifikasi Perkembangan Virus Infectious Bronchitis Isolat Lokal Dan Massachusetts Pada Cairan Allantois TAB Dengan Indirect Fluorescence Antibody Technique

Virus Infectious Bronchitis merupakan penyakit yang disebabkan oleh genus Gammacoronavirus, subfamili Coronavirinae, famili Coronavirinae tidak bersegmen, sense positif dengan genom SS-RNA. Terdapat lebih dari 30 macam serotip virus infectious bronchitis yang ditemukan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui perkembangan virus infectious bronchitis isolat lokal (PTS-III) dan Massachusetts yang di inokulasikan pada cairan allantois TAB. Identifikasi dilakukan berdasarkan waktu inkubasi virus IB yakni dengan waktu 0 jam, 6 jam, 12 jam, 24 jam, 48 jam, 72 jam, 96 jam dan 120 jam dan kemudian di panen. Isolasi virus IB dilakukan secara in ovo pada telur ayam berembrio (TAB) umur 9 hingga 11 hari. Menggunakan ulangan 3 butir TAB pada setiap waktu inkubasi dengan total TAB berjumlah 50 butir. Inokulum disuntikkan ke dalam cairan allantois dengan spuit 1 ml secara tegak lurus dengan kantung hawa. Metode pemeriksaan yang digunakan menggunakan Indirect FAT dan mikroskop fluorescence dengan melihat adanya perpenderan cahaya neon atau fluoresensi. Hasil data yang digunakan secara kualitatif yang disajikan dalam bentuk tabel dengan hasil berupa positif dan negatif. Pada penelitian ini menunjukkan adanya hasil negatif pada TAB yang di inkubasi hingga jam ke-0 dan jam ke-6. Hasil positif ditunjukkan pada TAB yang di inkubasi pada jam ke-12, 24, 48, 72, 96 dan 120.