scholarly journals Cat-Scratch disease in Crete: an update

2011 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgios Minadakis ◽  
Emmanouil Angelakis ◽  
Dimosthenis Chochlakis ◽  
Yannis Tselentis ◽  
Anna Psaroulaki
Keyword(s):  
Bartonella Henselae ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
Positive Lymph Node ◽  
Cat Scratch Disease ◽  
Outdoor Activity ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Molecular Assays ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Whole Blood Sample

There are few epidemiological and clinical studies about the presence of cat scratch disease (CSD) on the island of Crete. The objective of this study was to analyze a large number of patients with suspected CSD to define the frequency of <em>Bartonella</em> infections in Crete. From January 2005 to October 2008, we studied patients with suspected CSD from hospitals in Crete. Sera of the referred patients were tested by immunofluorescence assay (IFA). For some patients, we also received lymph nodes and blood samples that we tested for the presence of <em>Bartonella henselae</em> by molecular assays. Overall, we tested 507 serum samples and we found 56 (11%) cases of CSD. PCR assay was positive for 2 patients; one had a <em>B. henselae</em> positive lymph node and the other a positive whole blood sample. Significantly more CSD cases (62.5%, 35 of 56) were reported in children than in infants and adults (P&lt;0.05). Moreover, we identified that most cases of CSD occurred between May and September (P=0.002) and December and January. CSD is prevalent in Crete and is mostly associated with an increase in outdoor activity.

scholarly journals Detection by Immunofluorescence Assay of Bartonella henselae in Lymph Nodes from Patients with Cat Scratch Disease

2003 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 686-691 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Rolain ◽  
F. Gouriet ◽  
M. Enea ◽  
M. Aboud ◽  
D. Raoult
Keyword(s):  
Lymph Nodes ◽  
Bartonella Henselae ◽  
Laboratory Diagnosis ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
Cat Scratch Disease ◽  
Specific Monoclonal Antibody ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Serology Test ◽  
Negative Lymph Nodes ◽  
Immunocompetent Patients

ABSTRACT Laboratory diagnosis of Bartonella henselae infections can be accomplished by serology or PCR assay on biopsy samples. The purpose of our work was to assess immunofluorescence detection (IFD) in lymph node smears using a specific monoclonal antibody directed against B. henselae and a commercial serology assay (IFA) compared with PCR detection. Among 200 lymph nodes examined from immunocompetent patients, 54 were positive for B. henselae by PCR, of which 43 were also positive by IFD. Among the 146 PCR-negative lymph nodes, 11 were positive by IFD. Based on PCR results, the specificity of this new technique was 92.5%, the sensitivity was 79.6%, and the positive predictive value was 79.6%. At a cutoff titer of 64, the sensitivity of the IFA was 86.8% and the specificity was 74.1%. Diagnosis of cat scratch disease (CSD) may be improved, with a specificity of 100%, when the two tests (IFD and IFA) were negative; the sensitivity was 97.4% if one of the two tests was positive. Since PCR-based detection with biopsy samples is available only in reference laboratories, we suggest using IFD coupled with the commercial serology test for the diagnosis of CSD.

scholarly journals Serological Survey on the Occurrence of Rickettsia spp., Neospora caninum, Bartonella henselae and Toxoplasma gondii in Cats from Tuscany (Central Italy)

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1842
Author(s):  
Valentina Virginia Ebani ◽  
Simona Nardoni ◽  
Michela Maestrini ◽  
Stefania Perrucci ◽  
Francesca Mancianti
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Blood Serum ◽  
Neospora Caninum ◽  
Bartonella Henselae ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
Rickettsia Conorii ◽  
Serological Survey ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Rickettsia Felis

Asymptomatic cats often harbor pathogens, some of which have not been largely investigated in feline populations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of antibodies against Rickettsia conorii, Rickettsia felis, Rickettsia typhi, Neospora caninum, Bartonella henselae and Toxoplasma gondii in cats from Tuscany. Ninety-five blood serum samples, previously collected, were analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence assay. Fifty-six (58.94%) cats had antibodies to at least one investigated pathogen: 28 (29.47%) cats were positive for B. henselae, 17 (17.89%) for R. felis, 14 (14.73%) for R. conorii, 14 (14.73%) for T. gondii, 2 (2.1%) for N. caninum. No cats were positive for R. typhi. Positive reactions to two or more pathogens were detected in 18 (18.94%) cats. The occurrence of antibodies against these microorganisms suggests that cats, even though asymptomatic, may be infected by pathogens, often zoonotic, and thus may be a source of infections for other animals and humans.

scholarly journals Serological evidence ofBartonella henselaeinfection in healthy people in Catalonia, Spain

2008 ◽  
Vol 136 (12) ◽  
pp. 1712-1716 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. PONS ◽  
I. SANFELIU ◽  
N. CARDEÑOSA ◽  
M. M. NOGUERAS ◽  
B. FONT ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bartonella Henselae ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
Healthy People ◽  
Seroprevalence Rate ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Bacillary Angiomatosis ◽  
Significance Levels ◽  
Hepatic Peliosis ◽  
Serological Data

SUMMARYCat scratch disease (CSD), bacillary angiomatosis, hepatic peliosis and some cases of bacteraemia, endocarditis, and osteomyelitis are directly caused by some species of the genusBartonella. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of IgG antibodies againstBartonella henselaein healthy people and to identify the epidemiological factors involved. Serum samples from 218 patients were examined by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Significance levels for univariate statistical analysis were determined by the Mann–WhitneyUtest, χ2test and Fisher's exact test. Of 218 patients, 99 were female and 119 male, with a median age of 34·36 years (range 0–91 years). Nineteen (8·7%) reacted withB. henselaeantigens. Of all the factors concerning the seroprevalence rate being studied (age, sex, contact with animals, residential area), only age was statistically significant. Our serological data seems to indicate thatB. henselaeis present in Catalonia and could be transmitted to humans.

scholarly journals Comparison of In-House and Commercial Slides for Detection by Immunofluorescence of Immunoglobulins G and M against Bartonella henselae and Bartonella quintana

2002 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 1004-1009 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Maurin ◽  
J. M. Rolain ◽  
D. Raoult
Keyword(s):  
Bartonella Henselae ◽  
Fluorescent Antibody ◽  
The Other ◽  
Cat Scratch Disease ◽  
Indirect Fluorescent Antibody ◽  
Igg Antibodies ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Bartonella Quintana ◽  
Antibody Tests ◽  
Higher Sensitivity

ABSTRACT We compared the sensitivities and specificities of indirect fluorescent antibody tests developed in our laboratory and commercially available from Focus Technologies (FT; formerly MRL Diagnostic) for detection of serum antibodies to Bartonella spp. Serum samples tested were from patients with culture- or PCR-confirmed Bartonella quintana or B. henselae infections causing cat scratch disease (CSD), chronic bacteremia, or endocarditis. At a cutoff titer of 64, the FT test had higher sensitivity than our in-house test in detecting anti-B. henselae immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in CSD patients (91.2 versus 52.9%; P < 0.001). The specificity in serum samples from 85 control patients was, however, lower with the FT test (87%) than with the in-house test (98.8%) (P = 0.002). A cutoff titer of 128 improves the specificity for the FT test but lowers the sensitivity to 85%. For patients infected with B. henselae, our in-house test, but not the FT test, enabled endocarditis to be detected more reliably. With the in-house test, titers of IgG against B. henselae of ≥1,024 were found only in endocarditis patients and not in CSD patients. With the FT test, 19.1% of CSD patients had titers of IgG against B. henselae of ≥1,024 (P < 0.001). Our in-house technique also improved detection of anti-B. quintana antibodies in homeless patients with endocarditis. IgG titers of ≥1,024 were present in 75% of serum samples, but only in 16.7% of serum samples with the FT test (P = 0.004). Since each test has advantages over the other, the serological diagnosis of Bartonella infections would benefit if both tests were used concurrently.

scholarly journals Low sensitivity of Bartonella henselae PCR in serum samples of patients with cat-scratch disease lymphadenitis

2008 ◽  
Vol 57 (8) ◽  
pp. 1049-1050 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marijn J. Vermeulen ◽  
Bram M. W. Diederen ◽  
Harold Verbakel ◽  
Marcel F. Peeters
Keyword(s):  
Bartonella Henselae ◽  
Cat Scratch Disease ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Low Sensitivity

scholarly journals PCR Detection and Evidence of Shedding of Porcine Circovirus Type 2 in Boar Semen

2000 ◽  
Vol 38 (12) ◽  
pp. 4629-4632 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renée Larochelle ◽  
Andrzej Bielanski ◽  
Peter Müller ◽  
Ronald Magar
Keyword(s):  
Nested Pcr ◽  
Porcine Circovirus Type ◽  
Porcine Circovirus Type 2 ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
Porcine Circovirus ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Pcv2 Isolate ◽  
Boar Semen

An experimental study was conducted to evaluate the potential presence of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) in the semen of infected boars. Four mature boars were inoculated intranasally with PCV2 isolate LHVA-V53 propagated on PK15 cells. Two boars inoculated with the supernatant of noninfected PK15 cells were kept as controls. Serum samples were collected from all boars at 4, 7, 11, 13, 18, 21, 25, 28, 35, and 55 days postinoculation (dpi) and from the four PCV2-infected boars at 90 dpi. Samples were tested for the presence of antibodies to PCV2 by an indirect immunofluorescence assay and for the presence of PCV2 DNA by PCR and nested PCR. Semen samples were collected from all six boars at 5, 8, 11, 13, 18, 21, 25, 28, 33, and 47 dpi and tested for the presence of PCV2 DNA by a nested PCR assay. Antibodies to PCV2 could be detected as early as 11 dpi in one boar, and all four infected boars were found positive for PCV2 antibodies by 18 dpi. Thereafter all infected boars remained positive for antibodies to PCV2 until 90 dpi. Analysis of serum samples by nested PCR demonstrated the presence of PCV2 DNA as early as 4 dpi in three of four infected boars. Serum samples from all infected boars were positive for PCV2 DNA from 11 dpi until 35 dpi but were negative at 90 dpi. PCV2 DNA was detected as soon as 5 dpi in the semen of two infected boars and intermittently thereafter in the semen of all four infected boars. The semen of two infected boars was positive for PCV2 DNA at 47 dpi. Following infection, PCV2 DNA can be detected in semen concurrently with the presence of PCV2 DNA and antibodies in the serum. The present study suggests that PCV2 may be shed intermittently in the semen of infected boars.

scholarly journals Porcine Circovirus 3a Field Strains in Free-Living Wild Boars in Paraná State, Brazil

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1634
Author(s):  
Tatiana Carolina Gomes Dutra de Souza ◽  
Danielle Gava ◽  
Rejane Schaefer ◽  
Raquel Arruda Leme ◽  
Gisele da Silva Porto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Species ◽  
Porcine Circovirus ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Living Animal ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Viral Dna ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Wild Boars ◽  
The World

Porcine circovirus 3 (PCV-3) was identified in domestic pigs worldwide. Although PCV-3 has also been detected in wild boars, information regarding its circulation in this free-living animal species is scarce. To investigate PCV-3 occurrence in free-living wild boars in Brazil, 70 serum samples collected between January 2017 and June 2019 in Paraná state, Brazil were analyzed by PCR assay. Amplicons measuring 330 bp in length were amplified in seven (10.0%) of the serum samples and confirmed to be PCV3-specific by nucleotide (nt) sequencing. As the amplified products from the serum samples yielded only intermediate levels of viral DNA, lung samples from the seven PCR-positive wild boars were also evaluated by PCR. Of these samples, five lung samples were positive and provided high levels of viral DNA. The three lung samples that presented the highest levels of viral DNA were selected for amplification and sequencing of the whole PCV-3 genome. The three full-length sequences obtained were grouped in PCV-3 clade “a”, and the sequences exhibited 100% nucleotide similarity among them. The PCV-3 field strains of this study showed nucleotide and amino acid similarities of 98.5–99.8% and 98.8–100%, respectively, with whole-genome PCV-3 sequences from around the world.

scholarly journals A rapid point-of-care assay accurately measures vitamin D

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Albrecht ◽  
J. Lotz ◽  
L. Frommer ◽  
K. J. Lackner ◽  
G. J. Kahaly
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Metabolic Pathways ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
Laboratory Method ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Mean Deviation ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Assay Validation ◽  
Accuracy And Precision

Abstract Purpose Vitamin D (VitD) is a pleiotropic hormone with effects on a multitude of systems and metabolic pathways. Consequently, the relevance of a sufficiently high VitD serum level becomes self-evident. Methods A rapid immunofluorescence assay designed for the point-of-care measurement of serum VitD3 solely was tested. Inter- and intra-assay validation, double testing and result comparison with a standardized laboratory method were performed. Results An overall linear correlation of r = 0.89 (Pearson, 95% CI 0.88–0.92, p < 0.01) between the point of care and the conventional reference assay was registered. Accuracy and precision were of special interest at cut-points (10 ng/ml [mean deviation 1.7 ng/ml, SD 1.98 ng/ml, SE 0.16 ng/ml], 12 ng/ml [MD 0.41, SD 1.89, SE 0.19] and 30 ng/ml [MD − 1.11, SD 3.89, SE 0.35]). Only a slight deviation was detected between the two assays when using fresh (r = 0.91, 95% CI 0.86–0.94, p < 0.01) and frozen serum samples (r = 0.86, 0.82–0.89, p < 0.01). Results remained steady when samples were frozen several times. Inter- and intra-assay validation according to the CLSI protocol as well as multiuser testing showed stable results. Conclusion This novel, innovative, and controlled study indicates that the evaluated rapid point of care VitD assay is reliable, accurate, and suited for clinical practice.

scholarly journals Cervical Cat Scratch Disease Lymphadenitis in a Patient with Immunoglobulin M Antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii

2002 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 496-498
Author(s):  
Mardjan Arvand ◽  
Ilkay Kazak ◽  
Sergije Jovanovic ◽  
Hans-Dieter Foss ◽  
Oliver Liesenfeld
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Bartonella Henselae ◽  
Cervical Lymphadenopathy ◽  
Immunoglobulin M ◽  
Cat Scratch Disease ◽  
Specific Immunoglobulin ◽  
Acute Toxoplasmosis

ABSTRACT We report on a young patient with chronic cervical lymphadenopathy and serological and histological evidence for infection with Bartonella henselae and Toxoplasma gondii. Serological follow-up studies, including testing for avidity of Toxoplasma-specific immunoglobulin G antibodies, assisted in the determination of the cause of the acute lymphadenitis. Our results suggest that the clinical symptoms were most likely due to cat scratch disease rather than to acute toxoplasmosis.

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