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PubMed2004

Prevalence of Bartonella henselae in Italian stray cats: evaluation of serology to assess the risk of transmission of Bartonella to humans.

Bartonella henselae is the major etiological agent of cat scratch disease in humans. Cats act as the natural reservoir of B. henselae and can transmit the infection to humans by a bite or scratch. The prevalence of B. henselae in cat populations was evaluated by serological and bacteriological tests. A total of 769 stray cats from three urban and three rural areas in northern Italy were sampled between January 1999 and December 2000. The positive and the negative predictive values of serological tests with respect to bacteremic status were evaluated. Tests of a total of 140 cats (18%) resulted in detection of bacteremia. A total of 540 cats were tested by serology; 207 (38%) were seropositive. Of the 531 cats tested by both methods, the results for 65 (12.2%) showed both bacteremia detection and seropositivity. The molecular typing of the isolates showed that 20.6% of bacteremic cats were infected with B. henselae type I strain, 61.1% were infected with B. henselae type II, and 18.3% were coinfected with both. A statistically significant difference in antibody and bacteremia prevalences among geographical areas was detected. Statistical analysis showed no association between characteristics such as seroprevalence-bacteremic status, sex, general health status, and the presence of ectoparasites. The negative predictive value of serological test was 84.7%, and the positive predictive value was 31.8%. Receiving operator characteristic analysis of the data showed that serological tests had a low predictive value in relation to the bacteremic status of a cat; in surveys aimed at assessing the real risk of B. henselae infection in a human population, therefore, we suggest the use of blood culture as the reference test. Nevertheless, both blood culture assays and serological tests for Bartonella infection should be performed for a complete evaluation of the health status of cats.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Serologic and mucosal immune response to rotavirus infection in the rabbit model.

We examined the humoral immune response to rotavirus infection in specific pathogen-free rabbits inoculated and challenged orally with rabbit Ala rotavirus (7.5 x 10(5) to 1 x 10(7) PFU). The humoral immune response in both serologic and mucosal samples was monitored by using total antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), isotype-specific ELISAs, and plaque reduction neutralization assays. Following a primary infection, all rabbits shed virus and serologic and mucosal antibody responses were initially detected by 1 week postinoculation. Intestinal immunoglobulin M was detected by 3 days postinoculation, and secretory immunoglobulin A was detected by 6 days postinoculation. Following challenge, rabbits were protected (no detectable virus shedding) from infection. An anamnestic immune response was observed only with mucosal neutralizing antibodies, and all serologic and mucosal immune responses persisted at high levels until at least 175 days postchallenge (204 days postinoculation). Detection of neutralization responses was influenced by the virus strain used in the neutralization assay; all inoculated rabbits developed detectable serum and intestinal neutralizing antibodies against the infecting (Ala) virus strain. Neutralization activity in both serum and mucosal samples was generally, but not exclusively, homotypic (VP7 serotype 3) after both primary and challenge inoculations with Ala virus. Heterotypic serum neutralization activity was observed with serotype 8 (9 of 12 rabbits) and 9 (12 of 12 rabbits) viruses and may be based on reactivity with the outer capsid protein VP4 or on a shared epitope in the C region of VP7. Comparisons of heterologous (serotype 3) and heterotypic neutralizing responses in mucosal and serologic samples revealed that 43% (21 of 49) of the responses were discordant. In 19 of 49 (39%) of these cases, a heterotypic serologic response was seen in the absence of a heterotypic mucosal response, but in 2 of 49 (4%) instances, a heterotypic mucosal response was seen in the absence of a concomitant serologic response. These results provide insight into factors which may affect detection of heterotypic responses.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Diagnostic value of serological tests against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a large cystic fibrosis population.

BACKGROUND: Serological methods to monitor Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonisation in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) are advocated but the diagnostic value of a commercially available P aeruginosa antibody test to detect early and chronic P aeruginosa colonisation in a non-research setting has not been assessed. METHODS: Colonisation with P aeruginosa was estimated by regular culture of sputum or oropharyngeal swabs during three consecutive years in 220 patients with CF aged 0-65 years. Commercially available ELISA tests with three P aeruginosa antigens (elastase, exotoxin A, alkaline protease) were performed at the end of the study period. In a subgroup of 57 patients (aged 4-14 years) serological tests were performed annually. RESULTS: Using culture as the reference standard, the ELISA tests using the advised cut off values had a sensitivity of 79% and a specificity of 89% for chronic colonisation. Receiver-operator characteristic curves were created to optimise cut off values. Applying these new cut off values resulted in a sensitivity of 96% and a specificity of 79%. All three individual serological tests discriminated well between the absence and presence of chronic P aeruginosa colonisation. The sensitivity of the individual antibody test was 87% for elastase, 79% for exotoxin A, and 76% for alkaline protease. First colonisation was preceded by positive serological results in only five of 13 patients (38%). CONCLUSION: In patients with CF, serological tests using specific antigens are sensitive for diagnosing chronic P aeruginosa colonisation. However, the failure of serological tests to detect early colonisation in young patients emphasises the need for continued reliance on cultures.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Confirmation of Borrelia burgdorferi spirochetes by polymerase chain reaction in placentas of women with reactive serology for Lyme antibodies.

The purpose of our study was to determine whether Borrelia burgdorferi spirochetes were present in placentas of asymptomatic women with reactive Lyme serology using a silver stain, and to confirm the identity of the spirochetes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Sixty placentas of asymptomatic women with ELISA-positive or-equivocal serology for Lyme antibodies during pregnancy were examined for spirochetes using a silver stain. The results of the ELISA serology were confirmed by Western blot analysis. PCR amplification for B. burgdorferi was performed on placentas identified to have spirochetes and on a group of placentas negative for spirochetes. Spirochetes were identified by silver staining in 3 (5%) of the 60 placentas. PCR confirmed B. burgdorferi nucleotide sequences in 2 of the placentas. The 5 women had equivocal Lyme ELISA and negative syphilis serology. The results of the Western blot analysis were negative in 2 cases and indeterminate in 1 case. Six controls were negative for spirochetes by silver staining and PCR. A normal perinatal outcome was observed in all cases. Spirochetes identified in placental tissue of pregnancies with reactive Lyme serology were confirmed by PCR to be B. burgdorferi. There was no relationship between the presence of placental spirochetes and the results of Lyme serology or the pregnancy outcome.

Blotting, Western↗
PubMed2001

Association of serologic status for Neospora caninum and postweaning feed efficiency in beef steers.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of serologic status for Neospora caninum on short-term weight gain, feed intake, and feed efficiency (feed intake/gain). DESIGN: Longitudinal observational study. ANIMALS: 34 weaned mixed-breed beef steers. PROCEDURE: Serologic status for N. caninum was determined for each steer on days 0 (weaning), 88, 116, 144, 172, and 200, using an agglutination test. Individual steer body weight was measured on days 0, 88, 116, 144, 172, 200, and 242 (slaughter). Daily feed intake was monitored from days 116 through 242. Serologic status was matched to animal performance for the period immediately following serum sample collection. A mixed mode, using repeated-measures with an unstructured covariance matrix, was used in the analysis. Breed, age, and pen effects were controlled for in the analysis. RESULTS: A reduction in average daily gain for the period following a positive serologic result was detected for the entire trial (6 measurements/steer). This may have been attributed to a significant impairment in feed efficiency rather than to an impairment in feed intake. Changes in serologic status in individual steers over time were common; additionally, the effects of serologic status on steer performance were also transitory. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Significant reductions in short-term weight gain and feed efficiency were associated with the presence of antibodies against N. caninum in postweaning beef steers.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMed2000

[Comparison of the results of HLA typing using serologic and molecular genetics methods].

A comparison of the HLA class I typing in 50 unrelated individuals by means of serological and molecular genetic (PCR-SSP) methods was carried out. DNA-typing is more fast and reliable method in comparison with serology. It is necessary to introduce molecular genetic methods for the detection of HLA class I alleles. On the other hand there are alleles, which are not expressed on cell surface. In our laboratory both methods are established and the results of both were compared. It may be useful for determining the selection strategy of HLA-identical donor-recipient pair suitable for bone marrow transplantation. The results demonstrated 9% misassignments of HLA-A antigens by serology, 11% of HLA-B and 39% of HLA-C. The serological discrepancies found were of three categories: false negatives, false positives, and an incomplete typing. The vast majority of the discrepancies were due to a combination of relatively low expression of HLA antigens, lack of serological reagents and misclassification of antigens within cross-reactive groups. These results indicate that nowadays the serological typing is insufficient for clinical histocompatibility testing. (Tab. 3, Ref. 16.)

Alleles↗
PubMed1975

[Characteristics of serological group O144:K? Escherichia isolated in acute intestinal diseases].

A study of 14 strains of E. coli belonging to serological group O144: K? isolated in clinical dysentery (bacteriologically unconfirmed), from contacts in the foci of clinical dysentery and acute enteric disease of unknown etiology, and also in prophylactic examination, was made. Among these cultures there were strains with shigella characteristics. Along with the serological type O144: K?: H--described earlier there was determined serological type O144: K?: H4 differing in the enzymatic activity and the absence of the capacity to produce shigellae keratoconjunctivitis. The cultures of the given serological type were isolated in the focus of bacteriologically-undeciphered acute intestinal disease, this pointing to their possible etiological role. In the light of the aforesaid escherichia of the O144: K? serologically groups could be referred to the enteropathogenic ones; in this connection it is necessary to prepare preparations for their serological identification.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2003

An evaluation of the serological and epidemiological effects of the outer envelope vaccine to leptospira.

BACKGROUND: The Shanghai Institute of Biological Products manufactured successfully a new outer envelope vaccine for leptospira in 1978. It has been confirmed by using animal tests and a number of human body trials that this vaccine is safe and effective, However, results regarding serological and epidemiological effects of the vaccine in population has not been reported. The objective of this study was to evaluate serological and epidemiological effects of this vaccine. METHODS: From May 1998 to May 1999, an evaluation of the serological and epidemiological effects of the outer envelope vaccine for leptospira made by Shanghai Institute of Biological Products was conducted among agricultural population aged 5 to approximately 60 years in an epidemic area of leptospirosis, in Jingzhou District, Jingzhou City, Hubei Province, China by microscopic agglutination test (MAT), cohort study, matched case-control study and screening method. RESULTS: The serological surveillance results of 77 students immunized showed that the successful rates of vaccination with the outer envelope vaccine of L. icterohaemorrhagiae sero-group and L. hebdomadis sero-group leptospira were 79.22% and 77.92%, respectively, the antibody geometric mean titer (GMT) of the two groups were 1:106.71 and 1:63.31, respectively, with 6.7-fold and 4.7-fold rises comparing with the group of those of the antibody before inoculation, and the antibody protective rates of the two groups of outer membrane protein vaccine of leptospira all were 100% at one month after immunization. Higher level antibody against L. icterohaemorrhagiae sero-group leptospira was still maintained at one year after injection. The results of cohort analysis showed that the protective rate of the outer envelope vaccine of leptospira for the same serological groups of leptospira was 75.17%, and the effective index of the vaccine was 4.03. The protective rate of vaccines obtained from 1:2 matched case-control studies was 81.25%, while that estimated by screening method was 75%. CONCLUSIONS: The study results showed that the serological and epidemiological efficiencies of leptospira vaccine all were ideal. In addition, this vaccine had partly protective effect against other sero-groups of leptospira.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1956

Serology of treponematoses; recent developments.

In this general review of the serology of the treponematoses and of syphilis in particular, the authors first consider recent technical improvements in the materials used by serological laboratories and in the tests they perform. Special stress is laid on the new tests using treponemal antigens; but it is pointed out that the more commonly used tests should not be discarded in routine testing, the particular value of the newer tests residing in their use on doubtful sera.Mass blood testing-whether as a result of legal requirement and regulation or in the routine testing of patients and industrial workers-is extremely valuable where there is much syphilis among the population tested but becomes very costly when the number of positive reactors found is small.In a section on the clinical implications of serological findings, the authors deal with the problems presented by seropositive pregnant women and newborn children, with quantitative serological tests for syphilis, with the serological response in penicillin-treated syphilis, and with the serology of asymptomatic reinfection and serorelapse.

Child↗
PubMed1992

Proviral detection and serology in bovine leukemia virus-exposed normal cattle and cattle with lymphoma.

Twenty-seven cattle with lymphoma and 46 cows from a known bovine leukemia virus (BLV)-infected herd were tested for anti-BLV antibody by the agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern hybridization were used to detect BLV provirus in the tumor DNA of the 27 cattle with lymphoma. The PCR was used to detect BLV provirus in the peripheral blood mononuclear cell DNA of the 46 normal known-exposed cattle. Two presumed false negative AGID test results compared to ELISA were found. Of ten cattle three years of age or less with "sporadic" forms of lymphoma, four had BLV provirus in tumor DNA, detectable by PCR. In two of these four, BLV provirus was clonally integrated based on digestion of tumor DNA with restriction enzymes followed by Southern hybridization. The BLV provirus was not detected by PCR in 5 of 17 cattle with "enzootic" lymphoma and two of these five were seronegative. Among normal BLV-exposed cows, 6.5% (3 of 46) were serologically positive and PCR negative; serologically negative and PCR positive cows occurred with the same frequency. Serological and PCR test results, when considered in all cattle (n = 73), had a concordance rate of 83.6%. Discordant test results occurred with approximately equal frequency between serologically positive and PCR negative (7 of 73, 9.6%) and serologically negative and PCR positive (5 of 73, 6.8%) groups. These data suggest that the role of BLV in some "sporadic" bovine lymphomas, previously unassociated with BLV, should be reexamined. The BLV provirus was not demonstrable in the tumor DNA from five adult cattle with lymphoma, suggesting that BLV may not be the etiological agent in all adult bovine lymphomas. The findings of persistently seronegative PCR positive and seropositive PCR negative cattle indicate that further work is needed to more fully understand the host-virus interaction. Present serological screening methods may not have sufficient sensitivity for determining BLV status in some circumstances.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Serologic cross-reactivities poorly reflect allelic relationships in the HLA-B12 and HLA-B21 groups. Dominant epitopes of the alpha 2 helix.

Previous analysis has emphasized the correlation between primary structures of class I HLA molecules and their patterns of serologic cross-reactivity. Here we describe the structures of two serologic groups of HLA-B alleles for which this is not the case. HLA-B45, an allele associated with black populations, is serologically paired with B44 in the B12 group; its structure, however, is divergent from that of B44 but closely related to B50. The BN21 (B*4005) allele is associated with native Americans and is serologically grouped with B50 in the B21 group; its structure, however, is more closely related to alleles of the B40 group. The B44 and B45 serologically cross-reactive molecules differ at seven functional positions of the Ag recognition site; the B50 and BN21 molecules differ at four such residues. These differences are predicted to alter peptide presentation and be capable of eliciting strong alloreactive T cell responses. For these pairs of B12 and B21 Ag, serology appears dominated by epitopes formed by short sequences of the alpha 2 helix which have been shuffled by recombination between alleles. The implications of these results for HLA matching in transplantation are discussed.

Alleles↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Serological characterization of the O-specific polysaccharide of Providencia alcalifaciens O23.

INTRODUCTION: The genus Providencia belongs to the Enterobacteriaceae family and currently consists of five species: P. alcalifaciens, P. heimbachae, P. rettgerii, P. rustigianii and P. stuartii. The serological classification scheme of P. alcalifaciens, P. rustigianii and P. stuartii includes 63 O-serogroups and 30 H-serogroups. The O-antigenic specificity is defined by the structure of the O-antigen (O-specific polysaccharide--OPS), a part of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS, endotoxin), one of the major components of the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria and an important virulence factor of these bacteria. Among the bacteria of the Enterobacteriaceae family, the genus Providencia is one of the least studied in respect to its LPS structure and antigenic specificity. Studies of the chemical structures and the serological specificity of the O-antigens aim at the elucidation of the molecular basis of the serological classification of Providencia sp. MATERIALS AND METHODS: LPS and alkali-treated LPS of P. alcalifaciens O23 and serologically related P. rustigianii O14, P. mirabilis O13 and P. myxofaciens as well as O-antiserum against P. alcalifaciens O23 were used. Serological characterization of P. alcalifaciens O23 O-specific polysaccharide was done by use enzyme immunosorbent assay (EIA), passive hemolysis test (PHT) as well as by inhibition and sodium deoxycholate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (DOC-PAGE) of LPS and Western blot. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The OPS of P. alcalifaciens, O23, contains an N-(D-glucuronoyl)-N-[(R)-1-carboxyethyl]-L-lysine residue (GlcAAlaLys). The LPS of P. alcalifaciens, O23, and other LPSs containing AlaLys from Providencia and Proteus strains were tested with rabbit anti-P. alcalifiaciens O23 serum. The serological data showed that a GlcAAlaLys-associated epitope plays a role as an antigenic determinant in the P. alcalifaciens O23 OPS and revealed the particular importance of glucuronic acid and the carboxyethyl group for the binding of O23-specific antibodies.

Amino Acid Motifs↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The bacteriological and serological prevalence of Campylobacter spp. and Yersinia enterocolitica in fattening pig herds in Lower Saxony].

This article presents the results of a study on the occurrence of two bacteria that cause zoonoses, Campylobacter spp. and Yersinia enterocolitica. The study was carried out in 30 fattening herds in Lower Saxony, Germany, in 2004 and compares the results of bacteriological and serological methods of detection. Bacteriological findings of Campylobacter spp. in the faeces indicated that 69.7% of the fattening pigs were positive, but 81.2% tested positive serologically. All herds tested here were both bacteriologically and serologically positive for Campylobacter spp. Furthermore, only 8.4% tested positive for Yersinia enterocolitica in the faecal samples, but 66.8% of the animals were serologically positive for that bacterium. While bacteriological examination did not detect Yersinia enterocolitica in 56.7% of the herds tested, serological testing showed that only 16.7% of the units were without reacting animals. The great difference between the results of bacteriological and serological testing, especially in the case of Yersinia enterocolitica, can be explained by the intermittent intestinal excretion and predominance of this bacterium in the animals' tonsils. Low faecal excretion is also the reason for the low detection rate of 3.4% of Yersinia enterocolitica in the environmental samples, while that of Campylobacter spp. was 33.3%. These results indicate that the environment plays only a secondary role in the distribution of Yersinia enterocolitica in pig herds.

Animals↗
PubMed2007

[Human esophageal carcinoma antigens screened by serologic analysis of recombinant cDNA expression libraries (SEREX)].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: In malignant transformation, mutant gene products and dysregulated proteins can become tumor antigens and activate immunoreactions. Therefore, auto-antibodies exist in sera of cancer patients. Serologic analysis of recombinant cDNA expression libraries (SEREX) using autologous and allogenic patient sera provides a powerful approach to identify tumor antigens. This study was to identify esophageal cancer antigens with SEREX for serologic diagnosis, gene therapy, and immune therapy. METHODS: Expression library of cDNA from esophageal squamous cell carcinoma was constructed. SEREX screened out 21 positive clones from the 1.6x10(6) clones in the established library. The 21 positive clones were subcloned to monoclonality and submitted to in vivo excision of pBluescript phagemids. The nucleotide sequences of cDNA inserts were analyzed with DNASIS and BLAST software on EMBL and GenBank. According to the bioinformatics analyses, serologic immunoreactions of 4 colons in 10 samples of esophageal cancer serum and 10 samples of normal control serum were further detected by SADA. RESULTS: Of the 21 positive clones, 4 had no homology to any known genes, 17 were known fragments which were defined as antigens of esophageal cancer for the first time. The serologic immunoreaction rates of 4 selected antigens, including Ribosomal protein S4, and so on, were 40%, 60%, 70%, and 30%, respectively, in cancer sera, and 0%, 10%, 20%, and 20%, respectively, in normal sera. CONCLUSIONS: Antigens, such as Ribosomal protein S4, are frequently involved in serologic immunoreactions of esophageal cancer. The 21 antigens identified by the present study can be used as potential targets for gene therapy and serologic biomarkers of esophageal cancer.

Antibodies, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1979

Amebic liver abscess. Report of a case presenting with nonreactive serologic tests for Entamoeba histolytica.

We present a patient with an acute amebic liver abscess with nonreactive serologic tests. Motile hematophagous trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica were seen microscopically in scrapings from the wall of the abscess. Postoperative serologies revealed rapidly rising then falling titers by SAFA and IHA antibody assays. Serologic tests for amebiasis may be reative in greater than 95% of patients with invasive amebiasis. Nevertheless, a reactive serologic test should not be relied upon exclusively to establish the diagnosis. Sequential serologic testing and surgical intervention to obtain material for microscopic examination, gram stain and bacteriologic culture are warranted in patients with hepatic abscess and nonreactive serologic tests for antibodies to E. histolytica.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Molecular analysis of the serologically defined HLA-Aw19 antigens. A genetically distinct family of HLA-A antigens comprising A29, A31, A32, and Aw33, but probably not A30.

The HLA-Aw19 complex consists of a number of serologically cross-reactive Ag (i.e., A29, A30, A31, A32, and Aw33) which exhibit an epitope shared by HLA-B and -C proteins. To investigate the structural basis for these serologic cross-reactivities, we have cloned and determined the nucleotide sequences for A30, A31, and Aw33, and compared the predicted amino acid sequences with those already available for A29, A32, and other class I allelic products. All alleles of the Aw19 group contained A-locus-specific sequences, exhibiting "A-ness." The structural similarities between Aw19 polypeptides were found in the alpha 1 and alpha 2 domains, where shared amino acid residues were identified that correlated with observed serological reactivity patterns. Seven Aw19-specific nucleotides were found. Two of these were silent substitutions, but the remaining five resulted in Aw19-specific amino acid residues. Each of the HLA-A alleles can be classified into one of the five serologically cross-reacting groups. In the Aw19 group, the alleles A29, A31, A32, and Aw33 are closely related serologically as well as genetically whereas A30 probably belongs to the A1/A3/A11 group. The similarity between A30 and the other Aw19 alleles may have resulted from two independent gene conversions affecting exons 2 and 3. Additional mutations or gene conversion-like events in A30 were also noted. It is postulated that gene conversions have played a significant role in the divergence of the Aw19 alleles. However, each serologically cross-reactive Aw19 allotype appears to have arisen directly from a common ancestral allele. A30 was the only exception, and this allele may represent an unusual allotype, which is subject to a high rate of genetic changes, as is seen in the H-2Kb gene of the mouse.

Alleles↗
PubMed1995

Serologic responses of dogs naturally exposed to or vaccinated against Borrelia burgdorferi infection.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the serologic responses of dogs naturally exposed to or vaccinated against Borrelia burgdorferi and to assess responses at intervals after antibiotic treatment. DESIGN: Prospective, controlled clinical trial. ANIMALS: 19 dogs of various breeds and ages with narrowly defined clinical criteria of limb/joint borreliosis and 10 control dogs of equivalent age were used to determine serologic responses following natural exposure to the organism. Eight seronegative dogs were used to determine serologic responses following vaccination. PROCEDURE: Serologic responses to B burgdorferi and recombinant outer surface protein (Osp)A, flagellin, and P39 were assessed by means of ELISA and western immunoblot. Passive protective activity was assessed by use of a mouse protection assay. RESULTS: Naturally exposed dogs were seropositive, but had variable ELISA titers and immunoblot profiles. Immunoblot analysis did reveal consistent reactions to flagellin, P39, and a 22 kd protein, but not to OspA. Antibody responses did not change appreciably up to 13 weeks after antibiotic treatment. Vaccinated dogs had strong reactions to OspA and OspB, but not to P39. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Dogs with clinical borreliosis are seropositive and remain seropositive after antibiotic treatment, emphasizing that serologic testing is not a useful means of measuring clinical response. Serologic responses of infected dogs can be discriminated from those of vaccinated dogs by means of immunoblot analysis, and recombinant P39 is a potentially useful antigen for that purpose.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

[A strategy to control Trypanosomiasis due to Trypanosoma brucei gambiense in an endemic region of Zaire. Association of a serological test and early treatment of suspected cases. Preliminary results].

The authors report results obtained after combination of a serological diagnostic test and the early treatment of suspected cases (a person with a positive serological test without parasitological confirmation) in an area in Zaire where sleeping sickness caused by Trypanosoma brucei gambiense is endemic. The serological test used was Testryp CATT, having a very high sensitivity and quite a high specificity, which is easy to handle in the field and which permits results to be obtained on the spot. The treatment employed was a medication active in the first stage of the disease (hematolymphatic stage), safe to handle, with few side effects and easy to administer (diminazine). This strategy was applied for one year in the area from Fankana-Kalakitini in the Bandundu region in Zaire. The entire population was examined with the classical methods, combined with the serological test Testryp CATT, and this every six months. People positive for the serological test (but negative for the parasite) received one injection of the proposed medication; but people in whom parasites were found got classic treatment. After this period, we were able to demonstrate a clear decline in the incidence rate of new cases (parasite positive), but also in seropositivity rates in the general population. The authors believe that in a circumscribed area where the disease is endemic, the combination of a serological test and early treatment of suspected cases can rapidly diminish the incidence of the disease to an acceptable level.

Agglutination Tests↗