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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Sci / European Inter-Laboratory Proficiency Test for Dourine Antib...
Veterinary sciences2023; 10(10); 592; doi: 10.3390/vetsci10100592

European Inter-Laboratory Proficiency Test for Dourine Antibody Detection Using the Complement Fixation Test.

Abstract: Dourine is a sexually transmitted parasitic disease affecting equids. Its causative agent is referred to as and the prescribed serodiagnosis method is the complement fixation test (CFT). In the context of our European Reference Laboratory mandate for equine diseases (excluding African horse sickness), we organised dourine CFT inter-laboratory proficiency tests (ILPTs) in 2015, 2018 and 2022 to evaluate the performance of the European Union network of National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) for dourine. ILPT panels were composed of horse sera with or without antibodies against spp. originating from non-infected, immunised or experimentally infected horses. Twenty-two NRLs participated in at least one of the three sessions. In 2015, 2018 and 2022, the percentage of laboratories obtaining 100% of the expected results was 57, 90 and 80, respectively. These dourine CFT ILPTs showed the benefits of standardising the method's detection limit and underlined the constant need to evaluate NRLs to improve the network's performance. These results also argue in favour of the need for a representative bio-bank to improve the representativeness of ILPT samples and to allow the adoption of alternative serological methods for international surveillance of dourine.
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Publication Date: 2023-09-26 PubMed ID: 37888544PubMed Central: PMC10610798DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10100592Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

Overview

  • This study evaluated the performance of European laboratories in detecting antibodies for dourine, a parasitic disease in horses, using the complement fixation test (CFT).
  • Inter-laboratory proficiency tests were conducted in 2015, 2018, and 2022 to assess and improve diagnostic consistency among national reference laboratories (NRLs).

Background

  • Dourine Disease: A sexually transmitted parasitic disease affecting equids (horses, donkeys, zebras).
  • Causative Agent: Parasites from the Trypanosoma genus.
  • Diagnosis: Primarily through serological testing using the complement fixation test (CFT), a method detecting antibodies against the parasite in horse serum.

Purpose of the Study

  • To organize inter-laboratory proficiency tests (ILPTs) within European National Reference Laboratories tasked with dourine diagnosis.
  • To evaluate the consistency and accuracy of dourine antibody detection using CFT across different labs.
  • To encourage standardization and improvement of diagnostic capabilities in the European network.

Methodology

  • Participants: 22 National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) from the European Union participated in at least one of the three testing sessions.
  • Test Panels: Included horse sera samples:
    • Negative sera from non-infected horses
    • Sera from immunised horses (exposed but not necessarily infected)
    • Sera from experimentally infected horses, containing antibodies specific to Trypanosoma species
  • Timing of ILPTs: Tests were conducted in 2015, 2018, and 2022.

Results

  • Performance Improvement: The percentage of laboratories achieving 100% correct results increased from 57% in 2015 to 90% in 2018 but decreased slightly to 80% in 2022, indicating overall improvement with some variability.
  • Standardization Benefits: The ILPTs highlighted the importance of standardizing the detection limit of the CFT to ensure consistent results across laboratories.
  • Ongoing Need for Assessment: Continual evaluation of laboratory performance was recommended to maintain and enhance diagnostic reliability.

Implications and Recommendations

  • There is a strong case for establishing a representative bio-bank of sera samples to:
    • Provide well-characterized materials for future proficiency testing.
    • Ensure the ILPT samples reflect the range of clinical scenarios and antibody levels seen in the field.
    • Support the validation and adoption of alternative serological methods beyond CFT for dourine surveillance.
  • Such initiatives would enhance international surveillance efforts and control measures by improving diagnostic accuracy and harmonization.

Conclusion

  • This study shows that inter-laboratory proficiency testing is a valuable tool for improving dourine diagnosis in Europe.
  • Regular testing, method standardization, and the development of comprehensive serum resources can strengthen the European network for dourine control and surveillance.

Cite This Article

APA
Hébert L, Froger D, Madeline A, Lecouturier F, Lemans C, Zientara S. (2023). European Inter-Laboratory Proficiency Test for Dourine Antibody Detection Using the Complement Fixation Test. Vet Sci, 10(10), 592. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci10100592

Publication

Veterinary sciences
ISSN: 2306-7381
NlmUniqueID: 101680127
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 10
PII: 592

Researcher Affiliations

Hébert, Laurent
  • Unité Physiopathologie et Epidémiologie des Maladies Equines (PhEED), Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Site de Normandie, Agence Nationale de Sécurité Sanitaire de l'Alimentation, de l'Environnement et du Travail (ANSES), RD675, 14430 Goustranville, France.
Froger, Delphine
  • Unité Physiopathologie et Epidémiologie des Maladies Equines (PhEED), Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Site de Normandie, Agence Nationale de Sécurité Sanitaire de l'Alimentation, de l'Environnement et du Travail (ANSES), RD675, 14430 Goustranville, France.
Madeline, Anthony
  • Unité Physiopathologie et Epidémiologie des Maladies Equines (PhEED), Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Site de Normandie, Agence Nationale de Sécurité Sanitaire de l'Alimentation, de l'Environnement et du Travail (ANSES), RD675, 14430 Goustranville, France.
Lecouturier, Fanny
  • Unité Physiopathologie et Epidémiologie des Maladies Equines (PhEED), Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Site de Normandie, Agence Nationale de Sécurité Sanitaire de l'Alimentation, de l'Environnement et du Travail (ANSES), RD675, 14430 Goustranville, France.
Lemans, Charlène
  • Unité Physiopathologie et Epidémiologie des Maladies Equines (PhEED), Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Site de Normandie, Agence Nationale de Sécurité Sanitaire de l'Alimentation, de l'Environnement et du Travail (ANSES), RD675, 14430 Goustranville, France.
Zientara, Stephan
  • UMR 1161 Virologie, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Site de Maisons-Alfort, ANSES, Institut National de Recherche Pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement (INRAE), Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort (ENVA), 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France.

Grant Funding

  • Reference Laboratory for Equine Diseases other than African Horse Sickness / Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
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