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Journal of clinical microbiology1986; 23(5); 813-816; doi: 10.1128/jcm.23.5.813-816.1986

Immunodiffusion test for diagnosing and monitoring pythiosis in horses.

Abstract: A practical, sensitive, and specific immunodiffusion test was developed for diagnosing and monitoring pythiosis in horses. Culture filtrates, a soluble cell mass, and trypsinized Pythium sp. antigens were evaluated against prepared rabbit anti-Pythium sp. serum and pythiosis horse case sera. The culture filtrate antigens demonstrated the greatest capacity for detecting precipitins and the greatest stability during storage. In contrast, the trypsinized antigens had the weakest capability for detecting multiple precipitins and the poorest stability. The 13 sera from horses with proven active pythiosis were positive in immunodiffusion tests with the culture filtrate antigens. Each serum contained from three to six precipitins. Treated horses lost precipitins, and some became antibody negative. No false-positive reactions were noted in tests with sera from normal horses and humans or with sera from a variety of heterologous horse and human infections.
Publication Date: 1986-05-01 PubMed ID: 3086368PubMed Central: PMC268727DOI: 10.1128/jcm.23.5.813-816.1986Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • U.S. Gov't
  • Non-P.H.S.

Summary

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The researchers have developed a highly efficient and specific immunodiffusion test to diagnose and monitor pythiosis, a serious infection in horses. They evaluated different types of antigens and found that those produced from culture filtrates were the most effective and stored the best, allowing for accurate and stable testing.

Understanding Immunodiffusion Test

  • An immunodiffusion test is a method used in laboratories to detect the presence of antibodies in a sample of serum – the clear liquid obtained from blood.
  • In this study, the immunodiffusion test was developed specifically to diagnose and monitor pythiosis, a severe fungal infection in horses that can cause lesions in their gastrointestinal tract and skin.
  • The process involves the reaction of antibodies in the serum sample with specific antigens, which are substances that illicit an immune response in the body. If the antibodies are present, they will bind to the antigens, forming visible lines of precipitation that can be used to confirm diagnosis.

Evaluating Antigens

  • The researchers tested three types of antigens: culture filtrates, a soluble cell mass, and trypsinized Pythium sp. antigens.
  • Culture filtrate antigens displayed the highest capacity to detect precipitins – the visible clumps formed when antibodies bind to antigens – and the greatest stability during storage. This makes them the most practical for use in lab testing.
  • In contrast, trypsinized antigens were less efficient at detecting multiple precipitins and had poor stability.

Interpreting Results

  • The researchers found that all 13 sera from horses with active pythiosis showed positive results in immunodiffusion tests using the culture filtrate antigens. Each serum sample contained between three to six precipitins.
  • Treatment appears to reduce the presence of these precipitines, and in some cases, the horses became antibody negative – suggesting they had recovered from the infection.
  • The tests produced no false-positive reactions when used with sera from healthy horses and humans, or with sera from horses and humans with other types of infections, indicating a high level of specificity in diagnosing pythiosis.

Cite This Article

APA
Mendoza L, Kaufman L, Standard PG. (1986). Immunodiffusion test for diagnosing and monitoring pythiosis in horses. J Clin Microbiol, 23(5), 813-816. https://doi.org/10.1128/jcm.23.5.813-816.1986

Publication

ISSN: 0095-1137
NlmUniqueID: 7505564
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 23
Issue: 5
Pages: 813-816

Researcher Affiliations

Mendoza, L
    Kaufman, L
      Standard, P G

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Antigens, Fungal / analysis
        • Chytridiomycota / immunology
        • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
        • Horses
        • Immunodiffusion
        • Mycoses / diagnosis
        • Mycoses / veterinary
        • Pythium / immunology

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        This article includes 2 references
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