Serologic evidence of Legionella infection in horses.
Abstract: The indirect fluorescent antibody test was used to examine 109 samples of equine sera randomly selected from serum pools. Results were compared with titers obtained by the microagglutination (MA) test. A high correlation (r = 0.89) was found between titers measured by the 2 tests. Blood samples were obtained serially from a total of 156 horses at a research farm and the sera were tested against Legionella pneumophila serogroups 1 through 4 using the MA test; 29 horses (19%) seroconverted to at least 1 serogroup of L pneumophila. The indirect fluorescent antibody test substantiated the results obtained by the MA test. Seroconversions in horses provided additional evidence that horses become naturally exposed to legionellae.
Publication Date: 1984-12-01 PubMed ID: 6395736
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- Non-P.H.S.
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- P.H.S.
- Diagnosis
- Disease control
- Disease Diagnosis
- Disease Etiology
- Disease Prevalence
- Disease Surveillance
- Disease Treatment
- Equine Diseases
- Equine Health
- Horses
- Immunofluorescence Assay
- Infection
- Infectious Disease
- Microscopic Agglutination Test
- Serodiagnosis
- Serological Surveys
- Serology
- Seroprevalence
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Research
- Veterinary Science
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 article is about a study where they found evidence of Legionella infection in horses through serologic tests.
Objective of the Research
- The primary aim of the scientific investigation was to determine if horses could naturally contract Legionella infection, a disease predominantly discovered in humans and associated with respiratory complications.
Research Methodology
- The study utilized two kinds of serologic tests to understand the presence or development of Legionella in horses: the indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test and the microagglutination (MA) test.
- Initially, 109 samples of horse sera were randomly selected from various serum pools. These samples were subjected to the indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test.
- The results acquired from the IFA test were then compared with those obtained via the microagglutination (MA) test. This was done to validate results and ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of both testing methods.
- In addition to the initial 109 samples, blood samples were procured sequentially from 156 horses at a research farm. These samples were analyzed against Legionella pneumophila serogroups 1 to 4 using the microagglutination (MA) test.
Findings of the Research
- The correlation rate between the IFA and MA test was found to be high (r = 0.89), indicating that the two tests were quite consistent and reliable in their results.
- Out of the 156 horses tested at the research farm, 29 horses (approximately 19%) seroconverted to at least one serogroup of Legionella pneumophila. This means that these horses developed a detectable amount of antibodies in their blood streams against the bacteria, indicating exposure and immune reaction to the pathogen.
- The indirect fluorescent antibody test further substantiated the outcomes obtained by the MA test, hence, supporting the finding that horses could indeed become naturally exposed to Legionella.
Significance of the Research
- The research concluded substantial proof that horses could get naturally exposed to Legionella, a microbe usually associated with humans. This brings forth novel insights into how this disease can be transmitted between species.
- The findings of this study could potentially have vast implications for veterinary practices, ensuring better preventive and treatment measures against Legionella infection in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Cho SN, Collins MT, Reif JS.
(1984).
Serologic evidence of Legionella infection in horses.
Am J Vet Res, 45(12), 2600-2602.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Agglutination Tests / veterinary
- Animals
- Antibodies, Bacterial / analysis
- Bacterial Infections / diagnosis
- Bacterial Infections / veterinary
- Cross Reactions
- Fluorescent Antibody Technique
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horses
- Legionella / immunology
Grant Funding
- 2S07 RRO5458-19 / NCRR NIH HHS
Citations
This article has been cited 2 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.
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