Comparison of serological tests for equine trypanosomosis in naturally infected horses from Kazakhstan.
Abstract: In this study, we compared the complement fixation test (CFT), the horse complement fixation test (HCFT) and a card agglutination test for trypanosomosis (CATT/T. evansi) for the diagnosis of equine trypanosomosis in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Cohen's kappa test was used to evaluate the concordance between the three tests. Kappa scores for CFT versus HCFT and CATT are both 0.6165 (95% Confidence Interval CI 0.414--0.819) indicating a "substantial" agreement between CFT and HCFT or CATT, respectively. Kappa for HCFT versus CATT is 0.395 (CI 0.142--0.648) indicating a "fair" agreement between the two tests. In the absence of a golden standard, seroprevalence and sensitivity and specificity of the three tests were estimated using maximum likelihood estimation. CFT has a sensitivity of 57.2% (CI 31.5--79.5%) and a specificity of 95.8% (CI 89.2--98.5%), HCFT has a sensitivity of 80.6% (CI 44.1--95.6%) and a specificity of 99.5% (CI 90.7--100%), CATT has a sensitivity of 80.2% (CI 44.5--95.2%) and a specificity of 98.5% (CI 79.5--99.9%). The seroprevalence of equine trypanosomosis in Kazakhstan was estimated at 16.4% (CI 9.4--27.0%). The data suggest that for epidemiological studies and the control of equine trypanosomosis serological tests prove useful since they have a high specificity and a satisfactory sensitivity. Field applicable tests, such as CATT/T. evansi may be used to replace laboratory-based tests, such as CFT and HCFT.
Publication Date: 2005-06-14 PubMed ID: 15951112DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2005.05.001Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research conducted a comparison of three different methods or tests for detecting equine trypanosomosis, a parasitic disease, in horses from Kazakhstan. It was found that all three tests, CFT, HCFT, and CATT, have a high level of accuracy and can be useful tools in the monitoring and management of this disease.
Study Overview
- The research aimed to compare the effectiveness of three different tests in diagnosing equine trypanosomosis. The tests being compared were the complement fixation test (CFT), the horse complement fixation test (HCFT), and a card agglutination test for trypanosomosis (CATT/T. evansi).
- These tests were carried out on naturally infected horses in the Republic of Kazakhstan, a region presumably identified due to its significant horse population.
- The researchers used a statistical method known as Cohen’s Kappa Test to assess the degree of agreement between these three diagnostic tests. The scores indicate the level of agreement, where a higher score means the tests are more consistent with each other.
Key Findings
- The study found that the agreement between the three tests ranged from “fair” to “substantial”.
- Both the CFT and HCFT had a “substantial” agreement score of 0.6165, whilst the HCFT and CATT only had a “fair” agreement score of 0.395. This suggests that all considerable consistency exists in the results produced by these tests, but there are still some differences.
- Without a definitive standard to compare to, the researchers estimated the sensitivity (ability to correctly identify positive cases) and specificity (ability to correctly identify negative cases) of each of the tests.
- The HCFT test was found to have the highest sensitivity and specificity, making it the most effective at accurately diagnosing the disease. Both the CFT test and CATT were reasonably accurate but less so than the HCFT test.
Conclusions and Implications
- The study concludes that these serological tests are useful tools in the study and control of equine trypanosomosis due to their high degree of specificity and satisfactory level of sensitivity.
- Furthermore, the field applicable tests like CATT/T. evansi can replace some laboratory-based tests, such as CFT or HCFT, due to their efficiency and practicality in the field conditions.
- The estimated seroprevalence (the level of the disease in the horse population) in Kazakhstan was determined to be 16.4%, highlighting the prevalence of the disease and the importance of effective diagnostic tests.
Cite This Article
APA
Claes F, Ilgekbayeva GD, Verloo D, Saidouldin TS, Geerts S, Buscher P, Goddeeris BM.
(2005).
Comparison of serological tests for equine trypanosomosis in naturally infected horses from Kazakhstan.
Vet Parasitol, 131(3-4), 221-225.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2005.05.001 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Faculty of Applied Bioscience and Engineering, K.U.Leuven, Department of Biosystems, Kasteelpark Arenberg 30, 3001 Leuven, Belgium. fclaes@itg.be
MeSH Terms
- Agglutination Tests / veterinary
- Animals
- Complement Fixation Tests / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / parasitology
- Horses
- Kazakhstan / epidemiology
- Sensitivity and Specificity
- Seroepidemiologic Studies
- Trypanosoma / isolation & purification
- Trypanosomiasis / diagnosis
- Trypanosomiasis / epidemiology
- Trypanosomiasis / parasitology
- Trypanosomiasis / veterinary
Citations
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