Evaluation of buffered Trypanosoma evansi antigen and rapid serum agglutination test (BA/Te) for the detection of anti-T. evansi antibodies in horses in Brazil.
- Journal Article
- Antibodies
- Antigen
- Comparative Study
- Diagnosis
- Diagnostic Technique
- Disease control
- Disease Diagnosis
- Disease Etiology
- Disease Management
- Disease Outbreaks
- Disease Prevalence
- Disease Surveillance
- Disease Treatment
- Epidemiology
- Equine Health
- Horses
- Infectious Disease
- Serology
- Seroprevalence
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Research
Summary
This study aims to assess the effectiveness of the Buffered Antigen Trypanosoma evansi and rapid serum agglutination test (BA/Te) in detecting antibodies against the illness known as Surra in horses. The researchers found that the BA/Te test has promising results with a sensitivity of 92% and specificity of 91%.
Study Objective and Methodology
This research was designed to evaluate the BA/Te test’s effectiveness in detecting anti-T. evansi antibodies, a parasite causing Surra, in horse serum samples. Surra is a major infectious disease affecting various domestic and wild animal species, with the key to controlling it being prompt diagnosis and treatment.
- The researchers tested 445 horse serum samples using the BA/Te, comparing the results with those obtained from the CATT/T. evansi diagnosis – a commonly used method for detecting this disease.
- Furthermore, the antigen specificity of BA/Te was evaluated against serum reactive to other infectious agents present in horse herds to gauge its ability to distinguish the specific disease-causing agent.
Findings and Conclusion
The outcomes of this study demonstrate a successful application of the BA/Te test in diagnosing Surra. The key results include:
- The BA/Te test revealed a sensitivity of 92%, indicating a high ability to correctly identify horses infected with Surra.
- The specificity was 91%, suggesting a high capability to correctly identify healthy horses or those free of Surra.
- The degree of agreement (kappa) between BA/Te and CATT/T. evansi was 0.82 (with a 95% Confidence Interval: 0.771-0.877), implying a very good agreement between the two tests.
- The antigen specificity of BA/Te against other circulating infectious agents in horse herds demonstrated its value in tackling diagnostic confusion that might arise from cross-reactivity.
Therefore, the research concludes that BA/Te could offer a practical and quick screening method for the detection of anti-T. evansi antibodies in horses and play a crucial role in controlling Surra. The higher sensitivity and specificity values provide assurance in the test’s potential to be a reliable diagnostic tool. The speed and simplicity of this method might lead to its broader adoption in similar scenarios across veterinary medicine.
Cite This Article
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Hemoparasitas e Vetores, Departamento de Produção Animal e Alimentos, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Av. Luiz de Camões, 2090 Lages, SC, Brazil.
- VERTÁ - Laboratory of Veterinary Diagnostic / Institute of Veterinary Research and Diagnostic, Av. Lions, 1286 - Bairro Nossa Sra. Aparecida, Curitibanos, SC 89520-000, Brazil.
- Departmento de Biociências e Saúde Única, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Rodovia Ulysses Gaboardi, 3000, Km 3, Curitibanos, SC 89520-000, Brazil.
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Hemoparasitas e Vetores, Departamento de Produção Animal e Alimentos, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Av. Luiz de Camões, 2090 Lages, SC, Brazil.
- Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Av. Marechal Rondon, Cidade Universitária, Jardim Rosa Elze, 49100-000 São Cristóvão, SE, Brazil.
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Hemoparasitas e Vetores, Departamento de Produção Animal e Alimentos, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Av. Luiz de Camões, 2090 Lages, SC, Brazil.
Conflict of Interest Statement
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