Rapid Slide Agglutination Test Research Articles

A Comprehensive Review of Brucella canis: Zoonotic Risks and Preventive Strategies

Brucella canis, a zoonotic agent, primarily infects dogs and wild Canidae. Infection is notably suspected in dogs exhibiting epididymitis, infertility, or diskospondylitis. Recent reports indicate a growing incidence of Brucella canis infections in dogs, particularly among those imported into the UK from Eastern Europe. Although human infections by B. canis are relatively uncommon, clinical manifestations are typically mild, yet severe cases can potentially lead to septicemia. The disease in humans is incurable and spreads through contact with fluids from infected animals. Various diagnostic protocols, including Real-time PCR, Rapid slide agglutination test (RSAT), and Complement fixation test (CFT), are employed for the diagnosis of canine brucellosis. These serological tests play a crucial role in diagnosing canine brucellosis. Given the potential zoonotic risks, it is imperative to consistently include B. canis in diagnostic algorithms for canine diseases.

Is Brucella excreted in cattle faeces? – Evidence from Punjab, India

Brucellosis is a neglected zoonosis that affects animals and people in much of the underdeveloped world. The disease is endemic in cattle in Punjab, India and controlling it is a public health challenge. Dairy farmers and farm labour commonly handle cattle faeces with bare hands and personal protective equipments are not used. No studies have been conducted about the shedding of Brucella species in faeces of sero positive cattle in the state. This study aimed to isolate and identify the Brucella species from faeces of sero positive cattle in Punjab, India. Faecal samples were collected from 350 Brucella sero positive cattle in Ludhiana district of Punjab, India. Isolation was performed using a pre-enriched Brucella selective broth medium as well as Brucella selective medium agar plates containing horse serum and Brucella selective supplements. Isolates were identified using Gram staining technique and rapid slide agglutination test, and then confirmed by using bcsp31 and 16s rRNA genus specific PCR. Isolates were further identified up to species level by using Bruce-Ladder multiplex PCR. Fourteen Brucella species were isolated, all of which showed coccobacilli on gram staining, positive rapid slide agglutination test and amplification of bcsp31 and 16s rRNA genes. Of the 14 isolates, 11 were identified as Brucella abortus and 3 were identified as Brucella melitensis. The study demonstrates that animal faeces could pose a potential risk for animal and human health and faeces of seropositive cattle must be handled with care.

Characterization of nonencapsulated Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serovar K12:O3 isolates.

Three Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae isolates from clinical cases of porcine pleuropneumonia were positive by capsular serovar 12-specific PCR assay, but not reactive to antiserum prepared against serovar 12 using the rapid slide agglutination (RSA) test. The isolates were positive for apxIICA, apxIIICA, apxIBD, apxIIIBD, and apxIVA in the PCR toxin gene assay, which is the profile seen in serovars 2, 4, 6, 8, and 15, and reacted with antisera against serovars 3, 6, 8, 15, and 17. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed that genes involved in the biosynthesis of capsular polysaccharide of the 3 isolates were identical or nearly identical to those of serovar 12. However, genes involved in the biosynthesis of O-polysaccharide of the 3 isolates were highly similar to those of reference strains of serovars 3, 6, 8, 15, 17, and 19. In agreement with results from the RSA test, transmission electron microscopic analysis confirmed the absence of detectable capsular material in the 3 isolates. The existence of nonencapsulated A. pleuropneumoniae serovar K12:O3 would hamper precise serodetection.

Detection of Mycoplasma gallisepticum, Isolation, and Determination of Tylosin Susceptibility of Isolates from Commercial Chickens.

Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) is a contagious avian pathogen that causes financial losses to the poultry industry. Isolation of the pathogen is difficult and time-consuming, and therefore, far from a routine method. Serological testing methods to detect antibodies resistant to MG are widely used in routine diagnosis. Tylosin is a class of macrolide antibiotics tremendously administered in veterinary medicine for the treatment of mycoplasmosis and prophylaxis. This study aimed to detect MG by immunoassay testing, culture, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in commercial poultry farms and to investigate the tylosin susceptibility of the isolates. To verify the presence of antibodies resistant to MG, 750 blood samples were randomly collected from 38 broiler farms from 2019 to 2022 in Mazandaran and Golestan provinces, Iran, and rapid slide agglutination (RSA) assay was performed. Positive results were analyzed by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for further investigation. Here, 920 swab samples were collected from 38 non-vaccinated commercial farms for culture, and PCR tests were performed for the isolated strains. The activities of tylosin were tested in vitro against these isolates using the broth microdilution method. The lowest antibiotic concentration that resulted in a color change was considered the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value. Twenty-four (63.1%) farms were positive in the RSA test, and 21 (55.2%) farms were positive in the ELISA test. Nine (23.68%) of the farms grew on culture media, and 8 (21.05%) were detected as Gallisepticum species by PCR. The geometric mean of MIC for tylosin was 5.75 µg/ml, MIC50 was 4 µg/ml, and MIC90 was 8 µg/ml. The results indicated that commercial farms were infected with MG. Considering the ability of MG to spread and the probable use of the RSA test as a rapid and cheap method, it can be argued that ELISA and RSA serological tests can be used to find MG in poultry flocks, and the positive result should be confirmed by standard microbiological tests or PCR. It was also found that the isolated parts of MG changed their sensitivity to tylosin, indicating the need for routine testing to optimize treatment dose and efficiency.

First seroprevalence and molecular identification report of Brucella canis among dogs in Greater Cairo region and Damietta Governorate of Egypt.

Given the rise in stray and imported dogs in Egypt over the past 5 years, it is surprising that no report of Brucella canis infection in dogs or humans has been documented in Egypt's published papers. This study aimed to detect the presence of antibodies against the rough (B. canis) and smooth Brucellae among dogs in Egypt and to characterize the Brucella species circulating in dogs. Blood samples (n = 449) were collected from owned and stray dogs in the Greater Cairo region (n = 309) and Damietta governorate (n = 140). The apparent, true, and total seroprevalence of canine brucellosis caused by B. canis infection were calculated using the 2-mercaptoethanol tube agglutination test (2-ME TAT) and rapid slide agglutination test (RSAT). We used the rose Bengal test (RBT) and the buffered acidified plate antigen test (BAPAT) to check the serum samples from dogs for the presence of antibodies against smooth Brucellae. Three polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays - Bruce-ladder PCR, B. canis species-specific PCR (BcSS-PCR), and Abortus Melitensis Ovis Suis (AMOS)-PCR - were used to determine the Brucella species in the buffy coats of the serologically positive dogs. The overall apparent and true prevalence of B. canis infection in dogs were estimated to be 3.8% and 13.2%. The estimated true prevalence in stray dogs (15%) was higher than in owned dogs (12.5%). The BAPAT and the RBT using smooth antigens revealed that 11 (2.4%) and 9 (2%) were positive. Bruce-ladder PCR targeting eryC, ABC, and Polysaccharide deacetylase genes was able to identify B. canis in nine out of 17 buffy coat samples. AMOS-PCR identified the eight undetermined Brucella species by Bruce-ladder PCR as Brucella abortus (n = 4) and Brucella melitensis (n = 4). To exclude the presence of Brucella suis, a one-step species-specific BcSS-PCR was performed and specifically amplified all B. canis DNA (n = 9) the same as did the Bruce-ladder PCR. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of B. canis detection in dogs in Egypt. Molecular identification of B. abortus and B. melitensis in the Egyptian canines highlights the role of stray dogs in brucellosis remerging in Brucellosis-free dairy farms. Brucella canis infection can be diagnosed specifically with the one-step BcSS-PCR. The obtained results set-an-alarm to the veterinary authorities to launch plans to control this disease in dogs.

A case of unilateral hydrocele in a dog secondary to inapparent inguinal hernia

A 6-year, male intact Coonhound, was presented for unilateral scrotal enlargement of roughly 3 months’ duration. His left side scrotum was markedly enlarged and edematous and both testes palpated normal. Rapid slide agglutination test (for brucellosis) and SNAP 4DX (IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., Westbrook, ME) test (for tick-borne disease) were negative. Initial scrotal ultrasonography revealed accumulation of anechoic fluid with hyperechoic flecks and swirling surrounding the left testis. On further ultrasonographic examination, omentum appeared extending through the left inguinal ring and into the scrotum. A case of scrotal hernia with secondary hydrocele was diagnosed. Hydrocele was resolved surgically and the dog returned to full athletic function.

Chronic prostatitis in a dog infected with a smooth strain of Brucella spp.

Dogs may be occasionally infected by smooth strains of Brucella spp. The infection is usually associated with the ingestion of contaminated material from parturition or abortion, or other tissues from infected farm animals, particularly cattle and pigs. A 6-year-old, male mixed breed dog from a rural area was admitted at a veterinary clinic for clinical examination. The dog had bilateral perineal hernia with dysuria and dyschezia, as well as small firm testicles with scrotal adhesions. Serological tests, including buffered plate antigen, serum agglutination test, and 2-mercaptoethanol test, were positive for smooth Brucella spp. strains, whereas a rapid slide agglutination test was negative for B. canis. Blood and prostate tissue samples yielded no bacterial isolates. Histopathology demonstrated interstitial lymphoplasmacytic and histiocytic infiltration of the prostate gland, with fibrosis and occasional disruption of glandular architecture. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated abundant Brucella spp. antigens in the cytoplasm of macrophages. This report supports the notion that not only B. canis, but also smooth Brucella spp. must be considered in the differential diagnosis of prostatitis in dogs.

In Vitro Assay for Quantifying Clumping of Staphylococcus aureus.

Staphylococcus aureus interacts with fibrinogen in plasma to form macroscopic clumps of cells. A simple and rapid slide agglutination test using rabbit plasma has been employed in clinical labs to distinguish S. aureus from most coagulase-negative Staphylococci. The method described here is a quantitative clumping assay in which S. aureus cells are mixed with either plasma or purified fibrinogen, and clumps are allowed to sediment out of solution. Clearing of the overlying solution is monitored over time by measuring the optical density at 600nm and comparing these values to the initial turbidity. This simple assay can be used to study regulation and expression of various cell wall-anchored adhesins.

Investigation of The Presence of Brucella canis in Dogs in Western Part of Turkey

Background: Brucellosis is a zoonotic infection that usually settles in the genital organs, causing chronic, infectious and necrotic inflammatory disorders characterised by abortion and infertility mastitis in females and orchitis, epididymitis and testicular atrophy in male animals. Brucella canis causes Brucella infections in dogs. Less concern has showed to B. canis in Turkey, although dogs usually live in close contact with their owners and there is an increasing incidence of breeding kennels and stray dogs with poor state of health. The scope of this study is to determine the regional prevalance of canine brucellosis caused by Brucella canis using a 2-mercaptaethanol rapid slide agglutination test and species-specific PCR method in the western part of Turkey. Methods: A total of 200 blood samples (80 from Aydýn Province, 60 from Ýzmir Province and 60 from Muðla Province) were collected between March 2019 and February 2020. Serological analysis was performed via mercaptoethanol microagglutination test. Brucella canis-specific PCR procedures were used to detect brucellosis at the molecular level. Result: Twelve (6%) of the serum samples were positive for 2-ME RSAT. B. canis positivity was detected in 10 (5%) out of 200 samples via PCR test. Twelve positive samples were found via 2-ME RSAT and 10 positive samples were found via molecular testing. B. canis positivity was 7.5% in Aydýn and 6.6% in Muðla, as revealed via molecular tests in pet dogs in contact with stray dogs. The presence of B. canis was not observed in the dogs examined from Ýzmir Province, which were not in contact with strays.

Seroprevalence of Brucella canis in dogs and at-risk humans in Jordan

Brucella canis infection is a neglected zoonotic disease and its seroprevalence in dogs and at-risk humans has not been previously studied in several countries including Jordan. The main aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence and identify risk factors of B. canis infection in police, breeding and stray dogs and in at-risk humans in Jordan. A total of 169 sera samples from apparently healthy dogs and 185 samples from apparently healthy people (85 from dog handlers and 100 from the general population) were tested in the study. Antibodies against B. canis were tested using the canine D-Tec<sup>®</sup> CB Rapid Slide Agglutination Test (RSAT) kit with secondary 2-mercaptoethanol (ME-RSAT). Overall, 8.3% of the dog sera samples tested positive to antibodies against B. canis, and 37.8% of stray dogs tested positive. Seroprevalence was higher in male dogs than in females. Furthermore, none of the tested human samples was positive to antibodies against B. canis. There was a significant association between seropositivity and the type of dog. The study reports preliminary findings that suggest the presence of B. canis among stray dogs in Jordan. Thus, preventive measures should be taken to control the transmission of this pathogen from stray dogs to other dogs and humans as well.

Seroprevalence of Brucella canis antibodies in dogs entering a Minnesota humane society, Minnesota, 2016–2017

BackgroundCanine brucellosis, caused by the bacterium Brucella canis, is a zoonotic and largely reproductive disease of dogs. The disease is a recognized problem in canine breeding populations, and the risk to individuals assisting with birthing is well described. Prior to 2015, all cases of canine brucellosis reported to the Minnesota Board of Animal Health were in dogs used for breeding. In 2015, canine brucellosis was identified in eight Minnesota rescue dogs, all originating from specific geographic areas in South Dakota. Our objective was to measure the seroprevalence of B. canis in stray and previously owned dogs entering a large Minnesota animal rescue organization to determine if our observations represented a localized or generalized disease issue among rescue dogs. MethodsA stratified random sample of stray and previously owned dogs entering the largest Minnesota animal rescue organization between November 1, 2016 and November 7, 2017, was tested for B. canis antibodies by the 2-Mercaptoethanol Rapid Slide Agglutination Test (2ME-RSAT) (Zoetis d-TEC® CB kit). Sample sizes for each strata were calculated using previously published seroprevalence estimates. Blood from selected dogs was collected, serum harvested, and transported to the Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory for testing. Positive samples in the 2ME-RSAT were shipped to Cornell University for confirmation by Agarose Gel Immunodiffusion (AGID) testing. Demographics, state and setting of origin, and health status were collected on study-dogs. ResultsOf the 10,654 dogs accepted by AHS during the study period, 943 (8.9%) were selected for testing. Most study dogs arrived from Oklahoma (28%), Alabama (18%), and Minnesota (12%). The median age of study dogs was 1.5 years; 303 (32%) were intact males and 294 (31%) were intact females. Most study dogs were strays (n = 716, 76%). Of the total, 22 (3.1%) stray and eight (3.5%) owner-surrendered dogs were presumptively positive by RSAT; one (0.11%) of the stray dogs was positive by 2ME-RSAT and confirmed by AGID. The positive dog was a healthy-appearing 1 year-old neutered male beagle from Texas. ConclusionsThe seroprevalence of canine brucellosis in dogs entering Minnesota for adoption from multiple states was low. Never-the-less, care must to be taken to consider all potential risks and outcomes of interstate and international dog trade, including the spread of infectious diseases such as canine brucellosis.

Antibodies produced by dogs successfully challenged with live Leptospira spp. did not cross-react to Brucella antigen in a commercial rapid slide agglutination test that detects antibodies to Brucella canis.

Brucella canis is a cause of canine infertility and abortion. Veterinarians and veterinary laboratorians screen for antibodies to B. canis with serologic tests including a rapid slide agglutination test (RSAT; D-Tec CB, Zoetis, San Diego, CA). False-positive results are possible because of cross-reactivity to antibodies to some gram-negative bacteria. Cross-reactivity has been reported between antibodies of Brucella abortus and Leptospira spp. with serologic tests for bovine brucellosis; however, this has not been documented with serologic tests for canine brucellosis, to the author's knowledge. The RSAT was evaluated with the sera from dogs experimentally challenged with 1 of 4 serovars of Leptospira spp.: L. kirschneri serovar Grippotyphosa, or L. interrogans serovars Canicola, Icterohaemorrhagiae, or Pomona. Experimental infections were confirmed through results of microscopic agglutination testing and/or lateral flow immunochromatography testing. The sera of 32 dogs collected at day 0 and days 7, 10, and 14 yielded negative results with the RSAT. Antibodies produced through experimental infections to these 4 serovars of Leptospira spp. did not cross-react with Brucella antigen with the RSAT; therefore, cross-reactivity of anti-leptospiral antibodies may not be of concern for B. canis rapid slide agglutination testing of dogs.

BRUCELLOSIS

Background: Human brucellosis is a zoonotic infectious disease transmitted from domesticated animals to humans. It remains a major public health problem in Saudi Arabia where 7% of the population still maintains a nomadic life style with domestication of animals. Objectives: This study aims to discover the prevalence of brucellosis and Brucella among patients attending a district government hospital in Majmaah, kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Period: 2 years (from 1st February 2016 to 31st January 2018). Design: Cross sectional descriptive. Settings: King Khalid Hospital, Al Majmaah, Saudi Arabia. Materials (Patients) & Methods: Total 1098 serum samples from the patients with clinical suspicion of brucellosis were screened with rapid slide agglutination test (crescent diagnostics Jeddah) for Brucella antibodies and later confirmed by Serum Tube Agglutination Test. Main Outcome Measures: The result of our study showed that the prevalence of brucellosis among patients attending our study is 9.1%. Results: 100 individuals were found to be seropositive with titers ≥1:160. The result of our study showed that the prevalence of brucellosis among patients attending our study is 9.1%The Majority of the patients presented to the medical OPD and orthopedic unit of the hospital. The prevalence of disease in males was found to be higher as compared to females in the current studied group. The age group 21- 40 years, was found to be far more susceptible to this infection. Majority presented with fever and musculoskeletal complaints. The total seroprevalence rate calculated for the patients attending our hospital is 26.50%. Conclusion: Frequent serological surveillance should be carried out in areas that are endemic. Screening of risk groups, imported animals and household members of active brucellosis must be undertaken. This is a crucial epidemiological move allowing for timely diagnosis and control of disease. Limitations: Our prevalence rate represents a specific segment of the population (i.e., those attending the hospital) and not thegeneral population.

Seroprevalence of brucellosis in Mississippi shelter dogs

Canine brucellosis is an emerging disease and compatible with a One Health management approach. Previous research has found higher prevalence of Brucella canis in stray dog populations than in owned animals, and shelter dogs may represent a zoonotic risk to pet owners. Dogs may also contract other Brucella spp., including Brucella suis, which is carried by some feral swine in the United States and poses a public health risk.Diagnostic tests for Brucella spp. are imperfect. Misclassification of disease status can result in serious repercussions for canine and human health including the unnecessary euthanasia of false positive dogs or failure to identify and remove false negative dogs from susceptible populations. Correct interpretation of any diagnostic test requires knowledge of the pre-test probability of disease in the population, therefore the objective of this cross-sectional study was to estimate the seroprevalence of B. canis and B. suis in Mississippi shelter dogs to guide evidence-based diagnostic testing and inform policy recommendations.Banked serum samples from 571 dogs collected in 2016–2017 as a representative sample of the Mississippi shelter dog population were tested for B. canis using a rapid slide agglutination test (RSAT) and for B. suis using a buffered acidified plate agglutination test. No dogs were seropositive for B. suis antibodies. Twenty-eight dogs (4.9%) were seropositive for B. canis antibodies on the RSAT, with 13 dogs (2.3%) remaining positive when retested with the addition of 2-mercaptoethanol to increase specificity. Test prevalence by shelter ranged from 0 to 8.6%. True prevalence was estimated using stochastic modeling to account for test performance and clustering of dogs by shelter. Approximately 65% of modeled shelters did not have seropositive dogs. For shelters where B. canis was present, the mean modeled seroprevalence was 17.8%.This cross-sectional study reveals important information regarding the distribution of B. canis seroprevalence in Mississippi shelter dogs. Current diagnostic tests lack the sensitivity needed to correctly identify individual infected dogs, but population testing may provide a reasonable estimate of disease. Eradication or control measures may be most efficiently allocated to shelters where canine brucellosis has been identified to effectively minimize transmission among dogs and to humans.

Demographic trend and clinical features of brucellosis in patients with history of lower back pain - A study in tertiary care hospital

Introduction: Even though Lower Backpain (LBP) is the common symptom presenting to orthopedic OPD, not all the patients get relief from back pain. Due to complexity of the problem and heterogeneity of its nature many patients suffer from chronic lower back pain for long period. Infective agents do play a significant role in LBP and one of the differential diagnosis is Brucellosis. The present study is intended to find epidemiological correlation between brucellosis and LBP patients with pertinent serological tests and aid in decreasing morbidity associated with back pain. Materials and methods: Study involved evaluation of seventy adult patients (n=70) with history of low back pain attending orthopedic OPD. A detailed history of fever, work atmosphere, occupation in animal husbandry and ingestion of raw milk were collected and followed by radiological investigation (X-ray lower back). After physical examination serum samples were collected from these patients. First year MBBS students (n=30) without history of LBP were taken as controls. Results: Out of these 70 patients, seropositivity was seen in 10 patients by rapid slide agglutination test as screening procedure followed by tube agglutination test (SAT) as confirmatory test. Patients affected were men of 31 to 40 years age group. Incidence of brucellosis in our patients was 14.1%. Most of them were farmers by occupation. Of these 6 gave history of ingestion of raw milk. 6 patients had history of occupational exposure to animals and fever was seen in 5 cases. Radiological findings were positive in 4 patients. Conclusion: Diagnosing Brucellosis in patients with chronic backache is a challenge due to heterogeneity of condition. High clinical suspicion in patients with rural back ground, relevant serological tests with radiological evidence help in clinching the diagnosis of brucellosis in patients with chronic lower backpain.

English

An experimental study was conducted on day-old chicks to evaluate the safety and efficacy of combined Newcastle diseases (ND), fowl pox (FP) and fowl typhoid (FT) vaccine. The vaccine was prepared using the Lasota strain of Newcastle disease virus (NDV), the FP strain of fowl pox virus (FPV) and the 9R strain of FT. The vaccine was found safe, as no clinical signs or mortalities were observed. Post vaccination Haemaglutination Inhibition (HI) titre for ND was above the required protection level (≥1:16) and its geometric means (GM) were 0.0098, 0.0063 and 0.0059 for group one, two and three respectively, who received conventional and combined vaccine. The difference in GM between the three vaccinated groups were not significant (p=0.544). The trivalent combined vaccine did not show significant difference in the HI titre result among the groups that were given conventional vaccines and the other two experimental groups which received trivalent vaccine (p=0.257). From 75 samples, 73 (97.3%) were positive for FT through rapid slide agglutination test (RSAT). The chicks were challenged separately for the three diseases using the specific pathogens. Both combined and conventional vaccine conferred protection upon challenge. For ND challenge, 93.3% (n=14/15) of the control groups died. From FT and FP control groups 86.6% (n=13/15) and 20% (n=3/15) respectively died up on challenge. Both combined and conventional vaccine type conferred a similar and good level of protection. However, the use of combined vaccine has considerable advantage particularly in terms of convenience and cost effectiveness to control multiple diseases through simple immunization schedule. Further studies were recommended on the development of combined avian vaccines in Ethiopia. Key words: Newcastle disease, fowl pox, fowl typhoid, experimental study, combined vaccine.

Comparison of four polymerase chain reaction assays for the detection of Brucella spp. in clinical samples from dogs.

Aim:This study aimed to compare the sensitivity (S), specificity (Sp), and positive likelihood ratios (LR+) of four polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for the detection of Brucella spp. in dog’s clinical samples.Materials and Methods:A total of 595 samples of whole blood, urine, and genital fluids were evaluated between October 2014 and November 2016. To compare PCR assays, the gold standard was defined using a combination of different serological and microbiological test. Bacterial isolation from urine and blood cultures was carried out. Serological methods such as rapid slide agglutination test, indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, agar gel immunodiffusion test, and buffered plate antigen test were performed. Four genes were evaluated: (i) The gene coding for the BCSP31 protein, (ii) the ribosomal gene coding for the 16S-23S intergenic spacer region, (iii) the gene coding for porins omp2a/omp2b, and (iv) the gene coding for the insertion sequence IS711.Results:The results obtained were as follows: (1) For the primers that amplify the gene coding for the BCSP31 protein: S: 45.64% (confidence interval [CI] 39.81-51.46), Sp: 95.62% (CI 93.13-98.12), and LR+: 10.43 (CI 6.04-18); (2) for the primers that amplify the ribosomal gene of the 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer region: S: 69.80% (CI 64.42-75.18), Sp: 95.62 % (CI 93.13-98.12), and LR+: 11.52 (CI 7.31-18.13); (3) for the primers that amplify the omp2a and omp2b genes: S: 39.26% (CI 33.55-44.97), Sp: 97.31% (CI 95.30-99.32), and LR+ 14.58 (CI 7.25-29.29); and (4) for the primers that amplify the insertion sequence IS711: S: 22.82% (CI 17.89 - 27.75), Sp: 99.66% (CI 98.84-100), and LR+ 67.77 (CI 9.47-484.89).Conclusion:We concluded that the gene coding for the 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer region was the one that best detected Brucella spp. in canine clinical samples.

Serological study of brucellosis in Argentine Creole sheep

Ovine cattle was introduced into America during the Spanish conquest with the second journey of Columbus to the Antilles and was disseminated throughout the region. In 1587, sheep were introduced into Argentina, later developing into the “Creole” breed. We selected 486 animals from different Argentine provinces with the aim of determining the serological status of brucellosis caused by Brucella melitensis and Brucella ovis. For the detection of antibodies against smooth Brucella spp., the Rose Bengal test (RBT) was performed as screening test while the serum agglutination test (SAT) and 2 mercapto-ethanol (2ME) were run as a confirmatory technique. Moreover, for the detection of antibodies against rough Brucella spp., we used the rapid slide agglutination test (RSAT) for screening and an indirect ELISA (IELISA) as confirmatory assay. This study showed that the total positive percentage of brucellosis due to B. ovis was 2.9%. Excluding the animals mixed with the Suffolk breed; seropositivity would be 0.6%. All animals tested negative for brucellosis caused by B. melitensis.

Compare between Widal Test and Typhoid Strip Test in the Diagnosis of Typhoid Fever using CRP as Evaluation Parameter.

Background: Typhoid fever is one of the systemic infection and responsible for high rate of mortality especially in poor hygiene provinces. The aim of this study was to evaluate the methods including C-reactive protein test, Widal test and Typhoid stripe test that used in the diagnosis of typhoid fever. Material and Methods: Rapid direct Widal agglutination test and rapid typhoid stripe (immunochromatography) test were used to detect typhoid infection evaluate more accurate method in the diagnosis of typhoid fever. C-reactive protein detected by rapid slide agglutination test to measure its level in typhoid fever patients. Results: The results of Widal test showed 29 (63%) of 46 sample while the results of typhoid stripe test showed 25 (54.3%) IgM positive and 2 (4.3%) IgG positive from 46 sample. The test of CRP accomplished in positive widal test and positive typhoid strip test samples, the results showed that 6 (20.6%) of 29 were positive and 6 (24%) of 25 were positive in widal and typhoid positive samples respectively. Conclusion: Typhoid stripe test is more accurate and has low cross reactivity when compared with Widal test in the diagnosis of typhoid fever. Although, C-reactive protein test is non-specific but it is helpful in the characterization of acute inflammation and infection, so it is recommended to use in the detection of typhoid fever.

EVALUATION OF Salmonella pullorum SHEDDING IN JAPANESE QUAILS (Coturnix coturnix)

Abstract Salmonella Pullorum is a pathogen that infects several species of birds, mainly offspring, and among them, quails. Therefore, this study was performed in order to evaluate the S. Pullorum shedding in experimentally infected Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix) and egg contamination ability. S. Pullorum ATCC lyophilized was inoculated in all birds (60 quails at 160 days). Before the inoculation, rapid slide agglutination test was performed in all birds and individual cloacal swabs were collected randomly. Birds from group A and group B received 0.5mL of inoculum containing 1.5x102 CFU and 7.5 x 108 CFU of S. Pullorum, respectively, directly in the crop. The cloacal swab samples were collected on 3, 6, 9, 16 and 23 days post-inoculation (dpi) and all eggs were collected. Positive cloacal swab samples were initiated at the 3rd dpi. A total of 30 pool of eggs was analyzed, of which 73% positive for S. Pullorum until the 16th dpi. In conclusion, adult Japanese quails are possibly more resistant to the infection by S. Pullorum, but they can shed this pathogen in the environment as well.