Prevalence of antibodies to Legionella pneumophila in animal populations.
Abstract: We examined more than 2,800 human and animal sera for antibodies to four serogroups of Legionella pneumophila by using the microagglutination test. Antibody titers of greater than or equal to 1:64 were considered positive. The occurrence of positive equine sera (31.4%) was significantly higher than the occurrence of positive sera in cattle (5.1%), swine (2.9%), sheep (1.9%), dogs (1.9%), goats (0.5%), wildlife (0%), and humans (0.4%). The highest titer measured in horses was 1:512. The occurrence of positive sera in horses was related directly to age. In horses less than or equal to 1, 2 to 3, 4 to 7, 8 to 12, and greater than or equal to 13 years old, the percentages of positive sera were 0, 10.1, 30.3, 44.9 and 58.1%, respectively. When we compared age-specific serogroup-specific rates in horses from Colorado and Pennsylvania, we found differences. With horses 8 to 12 and greater than or equal to 13 years old, there was a significantly higher (P less than 0.05) occurrence of sera that reacted to serogroups II and III in horses from Pennsylvania. Of 242 positive sera, 43.8% reacted to a single serogroup (serogroup III or I most commonly), and 56.2% reacted to multiple serogroups (serogroups II and III or serogroups I, II, and III most commonly). A high percentage of seropositive horses suggested that horses are commonly infected with L. pneumophila or related organisms, and the age-specific rates of occurrence indicated that infection was related directly to duration of exposure. A definitive demonstration of equine infection will depend on isolation of the agent and repetition of this serological study with antigens obtained from organisms isolated from horses.
Publication Date: 1982-01-01 PubMed ID: 7186901PubMed Central: PMC272037DOI: 10.1128/jcm.15.1.130-136.1982Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- P.H.S.
- Age Factors
- Animal Models
- Animal Science
- Animal Species
- Antibodies
- Comparative Study
- Diagnosis
- Disease Diagnosis
- Disease Etiology
- Disease Prevalence
- Epidemiology
- Equine Health
- Horses
- Infection
- Infectious Disease
- Microscopic Agglutination Test
- Serodiagnosis
- Serological Surveys
- Seroprevalence
- Serotypes
- Veterinary Medicine
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.
The research examined the presence of antibodies for Legionella pneumophila in the blood serum of over 2800 animals and humans, revealing highest occurrence in horses, especially older ones, suggesting common infection with age-related exposure rates.
Research Methodology
- The research involved testing over 2800 samples of human and animal blood serum. The animal samples were drawn from a range of creatures including horses, cattle, swine, sheep, dogs, goats, and wildlife species, while human samples were also examined.
- The chosen test was the microagglutination test which determines the presence and concentration of antibodies against a specific pathogen, in this case, four serogroups of Legionella pneumophila.
- An antibody concentration level of 1:64 or more in the serum was set as the threshold marker for considering a test as positive.
Results and Findings
- Horses showed the highest rate of positive results, with 31.4% of the tested sera demonstrating antibody concentrations of 1:64 or more. The maximum antibody concentration obtained in horses was 1:512.
- The positives rates recorded for other animals and the human population were considerably lower, with cattle at 5.1%, swine at 2.9%, sheep and dogs at 1.9% each, goats at 0.5%, wildlife at 0.0%, and humans at 0.4%.
- Age was a determinant in horses’ positive rates, with older horses exhibiting higher positive rates. The percentages increased with age, from 0% in horses of 1 year old or less to as high as 58.1% in horses aged 13 years or more.
- Geographical location also influenced the serogroup-specific rates, with significant differences recorded between horses from Colorado and Pennsylvania, especially in the age groups 8 to 12 and 13 years and older.
Interpretation and Implications
- The higher rates of antibody presence in horses as well as the age-specific rates of occurrence suggest that horses are commonly infected with L. pneumophila or related organisms, and the infection intensity is directly proportional to the duration of exposure.
- The research suggests a possible geographical influence on the infection rates, but a clear understanding of this needs further investigation.
- A thorough understanding of equine infection with L. pneumophila would require isolation of the pathogen and repetition of the study, using antigens from the organisms that are isolated directly from horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Collins MT, Cho SN, Reif JS.
(1982).
Prevalence of antibodies to Legionella pneumophila in animal populations.
J Clin Microbiol, 15(1), 130-136.
https://doi.org/10.1128/jcm.15.1.130-136.1982 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Age Factors
- Agglutination Tests
- Animal Population Groups / immunology
- Animal Population Groups / microbiology
- Animals
- Antibodies, Bacterial / analysis
- Horses / immunology
- Horses / microbiology
- Humans
- Legionella / classification
- Legionella / immunology
- Serotyping
Grant Funding
- 5-S07-RR-05458-17 / NCRR NIH HHS
References
This article includes 29 references
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Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Graham FF, Hales S, White PS, Baker MG. Review Global seroprevalence of legionellosis - a systematic review and meta-analysis.. Sci Rep 2020 Apr 30;10(1):7337.
- Fabbi M, Pastoris MC, Scanziani E, Magnino S, Di Matteo L. Epidemiological and environmental investigations of Legionella pneumophila infection in cattle and case report of fatal pneumonia in a calf.. J Clin Microbiol 1998 Jul;36(7):1942-7.
- Barth TC, Renner ED, Gabrielson DA. A survey of domestic animals to detect serological responses against Legionella spp. by indirect fluorescent antibody.. Can J Comp Med 1983 Jul;47(3):341-6.
- Bornstein N, Fleurette J. Comparison of microagglutination with the indirect immunofluorescence assay for the diagnosis of infection with Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1.. Eur J Clin Microbiol 1983 Aug;2(4):335-9.
- Collins MT, McDonald J, Høiby N, Aalund O. Agglutinating antibody titers to members of the family Legionellaceae in cystic fibrosis patients as a result of cross-reacting antibodies to Pseudomonas aeruginosa.. J Clin Microbiol 1984 Jun;19(6):757-62.
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