A serological survey of Rhodococcus equi infection in foals in central Italy: comparison of two antigens using an ELISA test.
Abstract: A serological survey of Rhodococcus equi infection was carried out on 602 blood samples collected from foals in central Italy. The assay was performed with an ELISA test using two different antigens prepared with reference strains of R. equi, ATCC 33071 and ATCC 6939. A positive reaction was obtained on 81 serum samples (13.45%) (OD > or = 0.3) using antigen ATCC 33071, and on 73 serum samples (12.12%) using antigen ATCC 6939. Although the frequency of the disease was not high, the serological positivity was about 13%. There was no statistically significant difference between males and females. The ELISA test using either Antigen 33071 or Antigen 6939 is a rapid and reliable tool for detecting antibodies against R. equi in foals.
Publication Date: 2003-02-27 PubMed ID: 12602683DOI: 10.1016/s0147-9571(02)00020-6Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
Summary
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This study conducted a serological survey of Rhodococcus equi infection among foals in central Italy, using an ELISA test with two different antigens. Results showed similarities in detection rates between the two antigens and supported the use of the ELISA test for reliable and rapid detection of the infection in foals.
Research objective and methods
- Researchers aimed to conduct a serological survey focused on Rhodococcus equi infection in foals based in central Italy.
- A total of 602 blood samples were collected from the foals.
- The test employed was an ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) test, which is a popular method for detecting and quantifying substances such as peptides, proteins, antibodies, and hormones.
- Two different antigens were used in the ELISA test, prepared with the help of two reference strains of R. equi infection – ATCC 33071 and ATCC 6939.
Results
- The ELISA test using antigen ATCC 33071 resulted in a positive reaction in 81 serum samples, representing around 13.45% of the samples.
- On the other hand, the test using antigen ATCC 6939 returned a positive result in 73 cases, forming approximately 12.12% of the total samples.
- There was no evidence of significant differences in results between male and female foals.
Conclusions
- The study found that while the disease incidence is not very high, there is still a serological positivity rate of around 13%.
- There appears to be no significant statistical difference between the effectiveness of the two antigens – both being capable of detecting antibodies against R. equi in foals effectively.
- The study suggests the ELISA test, whether one uses Antigen 33071 or Antigen 6939, as a reliable and rapid tool for detecting such antibodies.
Cite This Article
APA
Cuteri V, Takai S, Moscati L, Battistacci L, Pieramati C, Valente C.
(2003).
A serological survey of Rhodococcus equi infection in foals in central Italy: comparison of two antigens using an ELISA test.
Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis, 26(1), 17-23.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0147-9571(02)00020-6 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Camerino, Via Circonvallazione, 93/95-62024 Matelica MC, Italy.
MeSH Terms
- Actinomycetales Infections / diagnosis
- Actinomycetales Infections / epidemiology
- Actinomycetales Infections / veterinary
- Animals
- Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
- Antigens, Bacterial / immunology
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / methods
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horses
- Incidence
- Italy / epidemiology
- Male
- Prevalence
- Rhodococcus equi / immunology
- Sensitivity and Specificity
- Seroepidemiologic Studies
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Nielsen SS, Bicout DJ, Calistri P, Canali E, Drewe JA, Garin-Bastuji B, Gonzales Rojas JL, Gortázar C, Herskin M, Michel V, Miranda Chueca MÁ, Padalino B, Pasquali P, Roberts HC, Spoolder H, Ståhl K, Velarde A, Viltrop A, Winckler C, Baldinelli F, Broglia A, Kohnle L, Alvarez J. Assessment of listing and categorisation of animal diseases within the framework of the Animal Health Law (Regulation (EU) No 2016/429): antimicrobial-resistant Rhodococcus equi in horses.. EFSA J 2022 Feb;20(2):e07081.
- Tirosh-Levy S, Gürbilek SE, Tel OY, Keskin O, Steinman A. Seroprevalence of Rhodococcus equi in horses in Israel.. J S Afr Vet Assoc 2017 Jun 26;88(0):e1-e6.
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