Frequency and Clinical Epidemiology of Canine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis in Dogs Infested with Ticks from Sinaloa, Mexico

Ehrlichia canis is a rickettsial intracellular obligate bacterial pathogen and agent of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis. The prevalence of this disease in veterinary medicine can vary depending on the diagnostic method used and the geographic location. One hundred and fifty-two canine blood samples from six veterinary clinics and two shelters from Sinaloa State (Mexico) were analyzed in this study. All animals were suspected of having Canine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis (CME). The diagnostic methods used were the ELISA (Snap4Dx, IDEXX) together with blood smear and platelet count. From all dogs blood samples analyzed, 74.3% were positive to E. canis by ELISA and 40.1% were positive by blood smear. The sensitivity and specificity observed in the ELISA test were 78.8% and 86.7%. In addition, thrombocytopenia was presented in 87.6% of positive dogs. The predominant clinical manifestations observed were fever, anorexia, depression, lethargy, and petechiae. Consequently, this is the first report in which the morulae were visualized in the blood samples, and E. canis-specific antibodies were detected in dogs from Sinaloa, Northwest of Mexico.

Download Full-text

Comparison of rapid cassette test and micro ELISA method for Helicobacter pylori diagnosis in patients with gastric complaints

10.21203/rs.2.18466/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Sadik Akgun ◽

Sezgin Barutcu ◽

Sumeyya Capuk ◽

Arzu Tanriverdi ◽

Serihan Kübra Emikoglu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Helicobacter Pylori ◽

Quantitative Methods ◽

Elisa Test ◽

Diagnostic Methods ◽

Clinical Microbiology Laboratory ◽

Test Results ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Study Results ◽

H Pylori

Abstract Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a significant contributor of various gastrointestinal disorders and cancers all around the world. Its diagnosis is dependent on several qualitative and quantitative methods. The present study aims to compare the results of rapid cassette and micro ELISA test methods for diagnosis of H. pylori and determining associations with patient endoscopy reports. Methods: The study was performed using blood samples collected from 224 patients (142 (63%) females and 82 (37%) males) in various clinics between January 2018 and August 2019, which were sent to the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory of Training Hospital. Serum samples obtained after centrifugation of the blood samples were initially tested with rapid H. pylori IgG cassette method, and afterwards in the auto analyzer using ELISA assays specific for H. pylori. Results: Upper gastrointestinal system endoscopy was performed in 88 of these patients, and biopsy results confirmed definitive diagnosis of H. pylori infection in 63 of the patients. Rapid H. pylori cassette test results of the 224 patients were negative for 158 (70.5%) patients and positive for 66 (29.5%) patients, whereas micro ELISA IgA test results were negative for 110 (49.1%) patients and positive for 114 (50.9%) patients. Micro ELISA IgG test results were negative for 85 (37.9%) patients and positive for 139 (62.1%) patients. Conclusions: Invasive diagnostic methods for H. pylori infection may sometimes be inconvenient, and therefore the diagnosis may have to rely on non-invasive tests. Bases on the study results, we believe micro ELISA test results are more reliable with regard to avoidance of missed diagnosis. Keywords: Helicobacter pylori, Rapid casette test, ELISA, Gastric ulcer

Download Full-text

Risk factors and clinical disorders of canine ehrlichiosis in the South of Bahia, Brazil

Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária ◽

10.1590/s1984-29612011000300006 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 20 (3) ◽

pp. 210-214 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Renata Santiago Alberto Carlos ◽

Fábio Santos Carvalho ◽

Amauri Arias Wenceslau ◽

Nadia Regina Pereira Almosny ◽

George Rêgo Albuquerque

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Dna Sequencing ◽

Nested Pcr ◽

Elisa Test ◽

Diagnostic Methods ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Canine Ehrlichiosis ◽

Blood Smears ◽

Clinical Disorders ◽

Dot Elisa

The aim of this work was to study the clinical disorders and risk factors of canine ehrlichiosis in Ilhéus and Itabuna, Bahia, and compare different diagnostic methods. Blood samples were collected from 200 dogs. Each dog was clinically examined. A questionnaire was used to evaluate the risk factors. The blood samples were analyzed using the Dot-ELISA test; hematometry, platelet counts and searches for morulae on blood smears were performed. Nested PCR was carried out on 50 serologically positive samples and 50 negative samples. Three positive PCRs were sequenced. Thirty-six percent were serologically positivity and 5.5% from blood smears. The animals were anemic and thrombocytopenic. Presence of ticks and living in areas on the urban periphery were considered to be risk factors (p < 0.05). Nested PCR identified 11 positive dogs of which nine were serologically positive and two were negative. The DNA sequencing was consistent with the presence of Ehrlichia canis.

Download Full-text

Molecular prevalence and risk factors for the occurrence of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis

Veterinární Medicína ◽

10.17221/7380-vetmed ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 59 (No. 3) ◽

pp. 129-136 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Milanjeet ◽

H. Singh ◽

NK Singh ◽

ND Singh ◽

C. Singh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Multivariate Analysis ◽

Blood Smear ◽

Winter Season ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Pcr Assay ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Canine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis ◽

Blood Smear Examination ◽

The 16S Rrna Gene

Evaluation of blood samples collected from 214 dogs from Ludhiana, Punjab (India) was performed for the presence of Ehrlichia canis using PCR-based assays targeting a portion of the 16S rRNA gene. Of the total samples subjected to routine blood smear examination, the morulae of E. canis were detected in 2.34% samples. Nested PCR assay produced amplicons of expected size (389 bp) specific for E. canis in 41.59% (89/214) of samples. The results of multivariate analysis showed that the prevalence of E. canis was higher in the summer as compared to the winter season (P = 0.031) and in dogs younger than six-month-old as compared to older dogs (P < 0.001), while breed and sex of the host were not significantly associated with the occurrence of the disease.  

Download Full-text

Challenges of Accurate Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori in Iran

International Journal of Enteric Pathogens ◽

10.15171/ijep.2019.19 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. 88-92

Author(s):

Farahnaz Fotoohi ◽

Mohammad javad Kazemi ◽

Hossein Ansariniya

Keyword(s):

Helicobacter Pylori ◽

Diagnostic Method ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Elisa Test ◽

Diagnostic Methods ◽

University Hospital ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Predictive Values ◽

H Pylori ◽

Sensitivity Specificity

Background: Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis is regarded as the most prevalent gastrointestinal infection, as well as the major cause of several other diseases. Despite being discovered over 30 years ago, no golden diagnostic method has yet been suggested for this microorganism. Objective: The present study aimed to compare two common diagnostic methods of histology and serology. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study began in July, 2016, and was conducted at Imam Jafar Sadegh Hospital (a university hospital) in Maybod, Yazd, Iran, on 70 patients. All the patients underwent endoscopy, and biopsy samples were taken for histology, as well as blood samples for ELISA test. Finally, sensitivity, specificity, NPV (negative predictive values), and PPV (positive predictive values) were calculated and analyzed. Results: The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV, and NPV of the ELISA method with histology as the gold standard were 87.5%, 36.9%, 54.2%, 42%, and 85%, respectively. Still, the histology method appears to be the most reliable test for the diagnosis of H. pylori in Iran. Conclusion: Regarding the high prevalence of H. pylori in Iran, the present study recommends the use of histology as a diagnostic method in combination with other diagnostic methods for detecting H. pylori infection.

Download Full-text

Bovine babesiosis and anaplasmosis complex: diagnosis and evaluation of the risk factors from Bahia, Brazil

Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária ◽

10.1590/s1984-29612014064 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 23 (3) ◽

pp. 328-336 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Lucimar Souza Amorim ◽

Amauri Arias Wenceslau ◽

Fábio Santos Carvalho ◽

Paulo Luíz Souza Carneiro ◽

George Rêgo Albuquerque

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Blood Smear ◽

Diagnostic Methods ◽

Babesia Bovis ◽

Babesia Bigemina ◽

Bovine Babesiosis ◽

Good Tool ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Kappa Test ◽

Blood Smears

Direct diagnoses were made by using - blood smears and nested PCR (nPCR) tests on 309 blood samples from crossbred dairy cattle in the municipality of Ibicaraí, Bahia. From diagnostic blood smear slides, the observed parasitic frequencies were 31.1% for Anaplasma marginale and 20.4% for Babesia sp. From nPCR diagnoses, they were 63% for A. marginale, 34% for Babesia bigemina and 20.4% for Babesia bovis. There were significant differences (P <0.01) between the two diagnostic methods (nPCR and blood smear slides). The compliance obtained from the kappa test was 0.41 and 0.48 for A. marginale and Babesia sp., respectively. The tick samples from the six farms analyzed using nPCR were only positive for A. marginale. Evaluation of the risk factors relating to the presence of ticks and the age of the animals showed that there was a significant association (P <0.01) with the frequency of animals infected with both pathogens. Therefore, under the conditions studied, nPCR proved to be a good tool for diagnosing the agents of the bovine babesiosis and anaplasmosis complex because of its sensitivity and specificity in comparison with blood smears. The municipality of Ibicaraí is an area with endemic prevalence of bovine babesiosis and anaplasmosis confirmed by nPCR and A. marginale is the main agent of the disease.

Download Full-text

Neurocysticercosis: A five-year experience

Medicinski pregled ◽

10.2298/mpns0212523d ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 55 (11-12) ◽

pp. 523-527 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Radoslava Doder ◽

Nadezda Madle-Samardzija ◽

Grozdana Canak ◽

Jovan Vukadinov ◽

Vesna Turkulov ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽

Taenia Solium ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Wide Distribution ◽

Elisa Test ◽

Diagnostic Methods ◽

Mri Findings ◽

Meningeal Inflammation ◽

The Impact ◽

Ct And Mri

Introduction Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is the most common parasitic disease with wide distribution which is caused by larval forms of Taenia Solium. Our aim was to: show the most common clinical manifestations of patients with NCC and their importance in diagnosing this disease; examine the value of serologic diagnostic methods in blood and cerebrospinal fluid; to emphasize the value of radiological diagnostic methods ? CT and MRI of the brain, in relation to the applied protocol of therapy, as well as the impact of anti-parasitic therapy on the outcome of this disease. Material, methods and results 13 patients with NCC (from 35 to 63 years of age, median age 49; 61,5% male and 38,5% female) were treated at the Clinic of Infectious Diseases in Novi Sad during a five-year period. Two patients had a positive epidemic data of parasitic diseases of the intestinal tract in childhood. The most common clinical manifestation was headache in 61,5% of patients, and generalized convulsions and hemiparesis in 46,2%. Meningeal inflammation was present in 27,3% of patients. Two of five patients had positive ELISA test for cysticercosis in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid. CT and MRI findings confirmed parenchimal form of NCC in 30,8% of patients, while calcifications were found in 69,2% of patients. All patients were treated with Albendazole, 800 mg a day, in two doses. 30,76% of patients had a favorable outcome of the disease, 53,7% of patients were discharged with complications, and one patient died. Conclusion The most common manifestation of NCC in our patients was headache, followed by general convulsions and hemiparesis. Radiological diagnostic methods ? CT and MRI ? proved to be most valuable both in diagnostics and follow-up of lesions. All our patients were treated with Albendazole; Dexamethasone was applied in patients with severe inflammatory reaction, and anti-convulsive drugs in patients with convulsions.

Download Full-text

Molecular characteristics of HBV infection among blood donors tested HBsAg reactive in a single ELISA test in southern China

BMC Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1186/s12879-020-05747-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Xianlin Ye ◽

Tong Li ◽

Ran Li ◽

Heng Liu ◽

Junpeng Zhao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Viral Load ◽

Hepatitis B ◽

Nested Pcr ◽

Blood Donors ◽

Southern China ◽

Core Promoter ◽

Elisa Test ◽

Hbv Infection ◽

Molecular Characteristics ◽

Blood Samples

Abstract Background Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major concern for blood safety in high-prevalence HBV countries such as China. In Shenzhen, dual hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) have been adopted in parallel with nucleic acid testing (NAT) for donors for over a decade. A small proportion of blood donors test reactive (R) for HBsAg but negative through routine NAT, which can lead to HBV infection with an extremely low viral load. Objectives We aimed to investigate and analyze the molecular characteristics of HBV among blood donors that tested HBsAg R in a single ELISA test. Methods Blood donations were evaluated in this study if confirmed HBsAg R through one of two ELISA kits. Samples with non-reactive (NR) results by NAT were collected and tested for HBsAg by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CLIA) with a neutralization test. The level of HBsAg was further assessed by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA). The viral basic core promoter (BCP) and pre-core (PC) and S regions were amplified by nested PCR. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) for viral load determination and individual donation (ID)-NAT were adopted simultaneously. HBsAg was confirmed with CLIA, ECLIA, nested PCR, qPCR, and ID-NAT. Results Of the 100,252 donations, 38 and 41 were identified as HBsAg R with Wantai and DiaSorin ELISA kits, respectively. Seventy-nine (0.077%, 79/100,252) blood samples with ELISA R-NR and NAT NR results were enrolled in the study. Of these, 17 (21.5%,17/79) were confirmed as HBsAg-positive. Of the 14 genotyped cases, 78.6% (11/14) were genotype B, and C and D were observed in two and one sample, respectively. Mutations were found in the S gene, including Y100C, Y103I, G145R, and L175S, which can affect the detection of HBsAg. A high-frequency mutation, T1719G (93.3%), was detected in the BCP/PC region, which reduced the viral replication. Conclusion A small number of blood samples with HBsAg ELISA R-NR and NAT NR results were confirmed as HBV infection, viral nucleic acids were found in most of the samples through routine NAT methods. It is necessary to employ more sensitive and specific assays for the detection of HBV infection among blood donors.

Download Full-text

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis E Virus Infection among Blood Donors in Bulgaria

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v13030492 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 492

Author(s):

Magdalena Baymakova ◽

Krasimira Terzieva ◽

Rumen Popov ◽

Elisaveta Grancharova ◽

Todor Kundurzhiev ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Virus Infection ◽

Hepatitis E Virus ◽

Blood Donors ◽

Hepatitis E ◽

Elisa Test ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Wild Boars ◽

Domestic Pigs ◽

Specific Questionnaire ◽

Positive Results

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is widespread among domestic pigs, industrial swine, and wild boars in Bulgaria. The aim of the current research was to present the HEV seroprevalence among blood donors in Bulgaria. In the present study, 555 blood donors (479 males and 76 females) were enrolled from five districts in the country (Shumen, Pleven, Stara Zagora, Plovdiv, and Sofia districts). All blood samples were tested for anti-HEV IgG using the recomWell HEV IgG ELISA test (Mikrogen GmbH, Neuried, Germany). Each participating donor completed a short, structured, and specific questionnaire to document data on the current study. Anti-HEV IgG positive results were detected in 144 (25.9%) blood donors, including 129 (26.9%) males and 15 (19.7%) females. The established HEV seropositivity was 28.8% (23/80) in Shumen district, 23.2% (22/95) in Pleven district, 27.1% (38/140) in Stara Zagora district, 27.5% (44/160) in Plovdiv district, and 21.3% (17/80) in Sofia district. A high HEV seroprevalence was found for persons who declared that they were general hunters (48.7%; 19/39; p = 0.001) and hunters of wild boars (51.6%; 16/31; p = 0.001). We present the first seroprevalence rates of HEV infection in blood donors from Bulgaria. The results of our research showed high HEV seropositivity among blood donors.

Download Full-text

Comparison of Droplet Digital Polymerase Chain Reaction (ddPCR) and Real-Time Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) in Detecting Neonatal Invasive Fungal Infections

Journal of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering ◽

10.1166/jbt.2021.2408 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 373-379

Author(s):

Huitao Li ◽

Xueyu Chen ◽

Xiaomei Qiu ◽

Weimin Huang ◽

Chuanzhong Yang

Keyword(s):

Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽

Limit Of Detection ◽

Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽

Diagnostic Methods ◽

Chain Reaction ◽

Fungal Isolation ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Fungal Strains ◽

Polymerase Chain ◽

Digital Polymerase Chain Reaction

Invasive fungal infection (IFI) is the leading cause of death in neonatal patients, yet the diagnosis of IFI remains a major challenge. At present, most IFI laboratory diagnostic methods are based on classical, but limited, methods such as fungal isolation and culture and histopathological examination. Recently, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) technology have been adopted to quantify nucleic-acid identification. In this study, we established qPCR and ddPCR assays for IFI diagnosis and quantification. qPCR and ddPCR were carried out using identical primers and probe for the amplification of 18S rRNA. Assay results for three fungal strains were positive, whereas ten non-fungal strains had negative results, indicating 100% specificity for both ddPCR and qPCR methods. Genomic DNA of Candida albicans was tested after a serial dilution to compare the sensitivity of the two PCR methods. The limit of detection of ddPCR was 3.2 copies/L, which was a ten-fold increase compared with that of the qPCR method (32 copies/L). Blood samples from 127 patients with high-risk factors and clinical symptoms for IFI were collected from a NICU in Shenzhen, China, and analyzed using qPCR and ddPCR. Thirty-four blood samples from neonates had a proven or probable diagnosis of IFI, and 25 of these were positive by qPCR, whereas 30 were positive by ddPCR. Among the 93 blood samples from neonates who had a possible IFI or no IFI, 24 were positive using qPCR, and 7 were positive using ddPCR. In conclusion, ddPCR is a rapid and accurate pan-fungal detection method and provides a promising prospect for IFI clinical screening.

Download Full-text

Instrumental diagnosis of cholesterol polyps of the gallbladder

Spravočnik vrača obŝej praktiki (Journal of Family Medicine) ◽

10.33920/med-10-2201-08 ◽

2022 ◽

pp. 53-62

Author(s):

Dmitriy Vladimirovich Nikolaev ◽

◽

Aleksandra Sergeevna Gavrilova ◽

Elena Olegovna Grozina ◽

◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Diagnostic Methods ◽

Dominant Form

Gallbladder polyposis is a common pathology, the detection of which has increased significantly in recent years. The dominant form of this disease is cholesterol pseudopolyps, mainly found inwomen. Clinical manifestations of gallbladder cholesterol polyps are nonspecific,which presents certain difficulties in diagnosis.Ultrasonography is one of themost informative and accessible instrumental diagnostic methods.

Download Full-text