Application and evaluation of indirect hemagglutination test in the Meriones unguiculatus natural focus of Inner Mongolia

Abstract

Objective To analyze and evaluate the application of indirect hemagglutination test (IHA) method in the epidemic area of Meriones unguiculatus in Inner Mongolia. Methods The plague monitoring summary and epidemic analysis reports of each year in Inner Mongolia from 1996 to 2016 were collected. The serum results of the IHA method were analyzed, including the time, region and the distribution of host animals. Results From 1996 to 2016, a total of 38 096 serum samples were detected from various host animals, and 172 positive samples were detected, with a positive rate of 0.45%. In the 21 years, except 2001 and 2015, the occurrence and prevalence of plague were judged by the IHA method for the remaining 19 years. There were 10 counties detected positive sera by IHA method; the positive results were detected by IHA method in 6 kinds of host animals, including 5 rodents and 1 carnivorous, and the positive rate of Rhombomys opimus was up to 6.17% (91/1 475), the highest titer of the seropositive host animals was as high as 1: 10 240. Conclusions The IHA method is easy to operate and economical. It plays a huge role in the timely detection of the epidemic in systematic monitoring of the Meriones unguiculatus in Inner Mongolia. Key words: Plague; Meriones unguiculatus; Natural focus; Indirect hemagglutination test