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PubMed1995

A serological survey of bovine syncytial virus in Ontario: associations with bovine leukemia and immunodeficiency-like viruses, production records, and management practices.

Of the 920 cows tested, 56.7% showed antiretroviral serological reactivity. Prevalence rates (95% confidence interval) of antiretroviral antibodies among individual dairy cows in Ontario were: BIV 5.5% (4.0-7.0), BLV 25.7% (22.9-28.6), and BSV 39.6% (36.4-42.8). The following percentages of cows showed serological reactivity against the specified retroviruses: BIV 2.3%, BLV 14.0%, BSV 27.5%, BIV and BSV 1.3%, BIV and BLV 0.9%, BLV and BSV 9.9%, BIV and BLV and BSV 0.9%. These rates of sero-positivity are similar to those found in other countries. Serological test results were not adjusted for sensitivity and specificity. The prevalence rates of antibodies to the three retroviruses (BIV, BLV, and BSV) were significantly different, but no associations were observed between specific retroviral serological test results among individual cows. The prevalence rates of BIV and BSV seropositivity were constant across Ontario, whereas, there was a significant trend for the prevalence rate of BLV seropositivity to decrease going from southwestern to eastern Ontario; cows in eastern Ontario had approximately half the prevalence rate of those in southwestern Ontario. Cows that were seropositive for BSV were significantly older than BSV seronegative cows. There was no association between culling rate and BSV serology. Significant negative associations were found with winter or summer housing of calves separate from adults and summer outdoor exercise for dry cows. The use of calf hutches in the summer had a significant positive association with BSV seropositivity. Regression analyses were done to assess the association of retroviral (BIV, BLV, and BSV) seropositivity on calving interval, milk somatic cell count, and milk production. Serological test results for BIV, BLV, and BSV were entered into all models and all models were adjusted for intra-cluster (intraherd) correlation. Herd size and age were found to be important confounding variables. BIV seropositivity was not associated with any changes in production using this approach, however when considered in isolation BIV seropositivity remained associated with decreased milk production. BLV seropositivity was significantly associated with longer calving intervals and higher somatic cell counts in older cows. As well, in older cows, BSV seropositivity was significantly associated with higher milk production.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1995

[Application of serology and 14C-urea breath test to monitoring of the effect of anti-Helicobacter pylori chemotheraphy].

In order to evaluate the value of serology and 14C-urea breath test in monitoring the effect of anti-Helicobacter pylori chemotherapy, at the first stage of this study, endoscopy, 14C-urea breath test and serology (H. pylori IgG antibody measured by ELISA) were performed in 42 of patients before the onset of anti-H pylori chemotherapy and at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after termination of the treatment. On analyzing the change of the results of breath test and serology during the one year follow-up period in these patients, "above the cutoff value" in breath test and "reduction of A value less than 15% when comparing with pretreatment" in serology were made as the H. pylori positive criteria for monitoring therapeutic effectiveness on H. pylori. At the second stage of this study, total of another 63 of patients were studied to test the accuracy of the monitoring criteria. The results showed that the sensitivity of breath test was all 100.0% and specificity 95.5% and 100.0% respectively at 6 and 12 month after termination of treatment, the sensitivity of serology was all 100.0% and specificity was 50.0% and 83.3% respectively. A scheme for monitoring the effect of anti-H. pylori chemotherapy by combination of 14C-urea breath test and serology is proposed based on this study.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed1998

[Q fever with endocarditis: clinical presentation and serologic follow-up of 21 patients].

AIM OF THE STUDY: The purpose of this study was to analyse the clinical and serological follow-up in 21 patients with Q fever endocarditis in Switzerland from 1981 to 1993. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Criteria for Q fever endocarditis were the following: Coxiella burnetii phase I IgG > 1 : 2560 and IgA > 1 : 20 by indirect immunofluorescence. Methods to confirm the diagnosis include immunohistochemical demonstration of C. burnetii by microscopy in valvular material (1 case) and inoculation of this material in experimental animals (10 cases). Information on clinical course of the disease, laboratory abnormalities and treatment were obtained by chart review and a questionnaire sent to physicians who requested the serological tests for Q fever. RESULTS: The average age of the patients was 47 years (15 men and 6 women). 64% of patients had a history of environmental exposure to C. burnetii. The median time of symptomatology before diagnosis was 5 months (1-108). 19/21 patients had valvular lesions, and 2/21 vascular Dacron prosthesis. Most patients presented with fever (18/21), congestive cardiac failure (14/21), weight loss (12/21), anemia (6/19), or thrombocytopenia (6/19). All the patients required antibiotic treatment. Cardiac surgery was performed in 15/21 patients. For 10 patients the geometric mean serological follow-up included at least titers at time of diagnosis (IgG anti-phase I antibodies 1 : 27024, IgA anti-phase I antibodies 1 : 685), at the end of therapy (IgG anti-phase I antibodies 1 : 2941, IgA anti-phase I antibodies 1 : 153) and 6 months after the end of therapy (IgG anti-phase I antibodies 1 : 368, IgA anti-phase I antibodies 1 : 40). The fall in anti-phase I titers was significant. During the clinical and serological outcome (median of 60 months and 69 months respectively) there was no recurrence of endocarditis and antibody titers to C. burnetii phase I remained low. Two patients died during the observation period, one from lung cancer, while the cause of death in the other was unknown. CONCLUSIONS: Serology is the key to Q fever diagnosis. The duration of treatment, and the values to be used to establish cure of endocarditis, are not clearly defined. During the clinical and serological outcome (median of 60 months and 69 months respectively) there was no recurrence of endocarditis and antibody titers to C. burnetii phase I remained low.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

[HLA-DR typing by standard serology and PCR-amplification with sequence-specific primers: a comparative study].

OBJECTIVE: DNA typing for HLA-DR by polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP) compared with standard serology to evaluate the reliability and clinical practicability. METHODS: Double-blind typing for HLA-DR alleles was carried out using DNA typing by PCR-SSP and standard serology by microlymphocytotoxicity technique in 61 donors and 101 recipients of cadaveric transplantation. Matching time, sensitivity, specificity and clinical practicability were compared according to typing results by both methods. RESULTS: All 162 samples were able to be typed by PCR-SSP. A total of 308 alleles were detected (16 DR "blank"). The results of matching were confirmed by analysis with restriction endonucleases and Southern hybridization. The specificity and reproducibility were 100%. HLA-DR typing was performed in 5 hours by PCR-SSP or 20 hours by serology. The discrepancy rate between PCR-SSP and serological HLA-DR typing was 30.2% (35.6% for kidney recipients, 21.3% for donors). The discrepancies consisted of 8 loci being doubtful, 29 antigens being incorrectly interpreted by serology and 20 of serological "blanks" turning out to be definable alleles by the DNA method. CONCLUSIONS: Genotyping for HLA-DR by PCR-SSP offers the advantages of better reagent and sample availability, more rapid and greater accuracy, all of which would warrant that this approach was suitable for clinical practice in organ transplantation.

DNA↗
PubMed1964

SEROLOGY OF THE MIMA-HERELLEA GROUP AND THE GENUS MORAXELLA.

Mitchell, Paul D. (West Virginia University Medical Center, Morgantown), and Robert G. Burrell. Serology of the Mima-Herellea group and the genus Moraxella. J. Bacteriol. 87:900-909. 1964.-The identity of organisms which have been assigned to the Mima-Herellea group of the tribe Mimeae and their taxonomic position are uncertain. In considering the possible relationship of the Mima-Herellea group to the genus Moraxella, the approach used was the isolation and identification of representative antigenic constituents of strains designated Mima polymorpha, M. polymorpha var. oxidans, Herellea vaginicola, Moraxella lwoffi, M. liquefaciens, M. non-liquefaciens, and Bacterium anitratum. Cell-free extracts of sonically disrupted cells were used in these studies, and the precipitinogens derived by this method were considered to be of capsular and somatic origin. Identity among the strains was established by immunodiffusion, with immune sera and antigenic extracts. Heterologous and homologous reactions were performed with adsorbed and unadsorbed sera to verify the cases of identity. In every instance of homologous reaction, at least five distinct antigen-antibody systems were discernible within the Mima-Herellea group. However, as evidenced by heterologous studies, the demonstrable antigenic composition varied among the species and, in some instances, among the strains. M. polymorpha var. oxidans appeared to be serologically distinct from H. vaginicola and M. polymorpha, whereas strains of the latter two organisms were theorized to be closely related serologically. Serological cross-reactions in heterologous studies and reciprocal adsorption tests revealed the existence of a serological relationship between members of the Mima-Herellea group and the genus Moraxella. A tentative scheme of identity is postulated on the basis of these crossreactions and cultural and biochemical reactions among the designated strains of Herellea, Mima, Moraxella, and Bacterium.

Acinetobacter↗
PubMed1964

SEROLOGY, DENSITY, AND MORPHOLOGY OF STAPHYLOCOCCAL PHAGES.

Rosenblum, E. D. (The University of Texas, Dallas), and Sue Tyrone. Serology, density, and morphology of staphylococcal phages. J. Bacteriol. 88:1737-1742. 1964.-A correlation between serology, buoyant density, and morphology has been demonstrated for six serological groups of staphylococcal phages. Four morphological types have been observed and represent the following serological groups: (i) group A, (ii) groups B, F, and L, (iii) group D, and (iv) group G. The correlations were useful in the detection of serological variation among several staphylococcal typing phages.

Cell Physiological Phenomena↗
PubMed1975

V. Effect of enzymes and temperature on the serological activity of the antigen of Fasciola gigantica.

The partially purified extract of Fasciola gigantica was incubated with enzyme pepsin and samples were taken at different time intervals from 0-24 hours, and tested intradermally for diagnosing bilharziasis. The enzymatic degradation of the protein molecule results in the progressive decrease and eventually the complete disappearance of serological activity. This showed that the protein portion of the antigen was deemed necessary for its activity in intradermal tests for diagnosing schistosomiasis. Amylase, even at a concentration of 5 per cent, did not influence the activity of the partially purified extract of Fasciola gigantica. This showed that the carbohydrate portion of the antigen has no effect on serological activity. The partially purified extract of Fasciola gigantica was subjected to heating at 37 degrees C, 50 degrees C, and 60 degrees C for periods of two, six and 24 hours, and tested intradermally for diagnosing schistosomiasis. Heating decreased the reactivity of the supernatant liquid of the protein solution but did not completely inactivate the serologically active component which is fairly stable at 50 degrees C. Temperatures higher than 50 degrees C started to affect the serological activity of the protein solution. The higher the temperature, the shorter is the time required for the inactivation of the protein. This shows that the serologically active component is protein and not polysaccharide which resists much higher temperatures.

Amylases↗
PubMed1999

Role of serology in the diagnosis of Lyme disease.

Numerous concerns regarding the potential for misdiagnosis of Lyme disease using commercial assays have been voiced by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). We attempted to clarify the clinical value of serologic testing for Lyme disease using the results of commonly marketed assays for detecting antibody to Borrelia burgdorferi, the organism that causes Lyme disease. We reviewed published studies on B burgdorferi test performance published through 1998, package insert labeling from FDA-cleared test kits for B burgdorferi, and Lyme Disease Survey Set LY-A from the College of American Pathologists. We assessed the sensitivity and specificity of commercial serologic tests (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA], immunofluorescence antibody [IFA], and immunodot) for diagnosis of Lyme disease. To reduce this risk of misdiagnosis, it is important that clinicians understand the performance characteristics and limitations of these tests. These tests, in common use in clinical or commercial laboratories, should be used only to support a clinical diagnosis of Lyme disease, not as the primary basis for making diagnostic or treatment decisions. Serologic testing is not useful early in the course of Lyme disease because of the low sensitivity of tests in early disease. Serologic testing may be more useful in later disease, at which time sensitivity and specificity of the test are improved. Positive or equivocal results on an ELISA, IFA, or immunodot assay requires supplemental testing with a Western blot assay. A negative result on the Western blot or ELISA indicates that there is no serologic evidence of infection by B burgdorferi at the time the sample was drawn.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed1998

Serology versus ARMS-PCR in prospective HLA-class I typing for bone marrow transplantation.

While HLA class II alleles identification by means of complement mediated lymphocytotoxicity (serology) is almost replaced by DNA typing techniques, serology is still widely used for routine class I typing. The aim of this prospective study was to compare PCR-based Amplification Refractory Mutation System with serology in clinical HLA class I alleles assignment in patients receiving marrow transplants and their potential donors. The total discrepancy rate in 114 consecutively typed individuals for HLA-A and HLA-C alleles was only in favor of ARMS-PCR, whereas HLA-B typing was discrepant also in favor of serology. The discrepancies were higher in patients, particularly in those with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, than in healthy individuals. We conclude, that ARMS-PCR is clearly superior to serology in definition of class I alleles, which might be of clinical importance particularly for bone marrow transplantation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Serological evidence of acute infection with the Chlamydia-like microorganism Simkania negevensis (Z) in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The aims of this study were twofold: (i) to test for possible associations between serological evidence of acute Simkania negevensis (Sn) infection and acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and (ii) to examine the prevalence of past infections with Sn in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In 120 patients (63%) there was serological evidence of past infection with Sn, which was not significantly different from the rate in a control population. In five hospitalizations serological evidence existed of acute infection with Sn around the time of the exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In four of these cases, there was serological evidence of acute infection with at least one other respiratory pathogen. It is concluded that Sn can be associated serologically with exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, in most cases together with other respiratory pathogens. The implications of these findings should be investigated further.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2000

Serological methods for diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection and monitoring of eradication therapy.

Several methods can be used to diagnose Helicobacter pylori infection. Invasive methods include detection of the bacterium in gastric biopsy specimens by culture, immunohistochemistry, rapid urease tests, or the polymerase chain reaction. Noninvasive or less invasive detection methods include the urea breath test and serological methods. The urea breath test is based on the detection of 13CO2 or 14CO2 in breath, produced by bacterial urease in the stomach after labelled urea is swallowed. Serological methods are based on the detection of Helicobacter pylori-specific antibodies in serum, saliva, or urine. In this review, the performance and diagnostic value of several serological methods, such as enzyme immunoassay, rapid office-based assays, and Western blot, will be discussed in relation to biopsy-based methods and the urea breath test. In addition, the value of serological assays for monitoring eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection following treatment will be discussed. The diagnostic performance of properly evaluated serological assays is comparable to that of biopsy-based methods and the urea breath test. To monitor eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection following therapy, quantitative enzyme immunoassays can be used, especially in patients with high pretreatment antibody titres.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed2005

Increasing numbers at a specialist coeliac clinic: contribution of serological testing in primary care.

BACKGROUND: Serological testing, using IgA class endomysial and tissue transglutaminase antibodies has high sensitivity and specificity for coeliac disease and allows case finding by clinicians other than gastroenterologists. We reviewed new coeliac patients seen over a 9-year period to determine how the availability of serology, particularly to primary care physicians, has changed rates and sources of diagnosis. METHODS: Files of patients attending a specialist coeliac clinic who were diagnosed from 1996 through 2004 were reviewed. Patients with villous atrophy consistent with gluten sensitive enteropathy (Marsh III) on duodenal biopsy were selected. Data analysed included clinical characteristics, endomysial and tissue transglutaminase antibodies status and source of request for serology. RESULTS: Over the study period 347 new coeliac patients, comprising adults and children aged 10 years and over, were identified, of whom 163 (47%) were identified by serological testing in primary care, 152 (44%) at the hospital gastroenterology department and 32 (9%) by other physicians in secondary care. Over three consecutive 3-year periods, the percentage of patients identified in primary care rose from 28% through 47% to 60%, with a rise in total numbers diagnosed from 93 through 118 to 136. There was no change in patient clinical characteristics over the study period. Though tissue transglutaminase antibodies were less sensitive than endomysial antibodies, combined testing obtained a sensitivity of over 90%. Patients identified in primary care were significantly younger and more likely to present with diarrhoea as a primary symptom. CONCLUSION: Currently over half of our coeliac patients are identified by serological testing in primary care, which has resulted in an overall rise in diagnosis rates. Primary care practitioners have an important role in the diagnosis of coeliac disease, particularly of patients who present with non-gastrointestinal symptoms. The contribution of specialists other than gastroenterologists in secondary care is disappointing and may improve with directed education.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Hepatitis serology predicts tumor and liver-disease characteristics but not prognosis after resection of hepatocellular carcinoma.

The impact of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection on survival rates after resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is controversial. The objective of this study was to determine whether serologic evidence of HBV or HCV infection ("hepatitis serology") can predict underlying liver disease, tumor factors, and survival rates in patients with HCC. Using a multicenter international database, we identified 446 patients with complete HBV and HCV serology. One hundred twenty-six patients were negative for HBV and HCV, 163 patients had HBV infection only, 79 patients had HCV infection only, and 78 patients had coinfection with HBV and HCV. Patients with hepatitis were more likely to have tumors smaller than 5 cm and bilateral HCC involvement. Hepatitis status (negative vs. HBV vs. HCV vs. coinfection with HBV and HCV) did not predict tumor grade or the presence of multiple tumor nodules. Patients with HCV or coinfection with HBV and HCV exhibited a lower incidence of vascular invasion, but worse fibrosis than patients with negative serology or HBV. The median survival rate was 47.9 months. The presence of hepatitis did not significantly affect the survival rate, but hepatic fibrosis and vascular invasion predicted a decreased survival rate. The prognosis after resection of HCC is influenced by tumor factors and liver disease, but not by HBV or HCV infection. The treatment for HCC should be dictated by the extent of underlying liver disease rather than by hepatitis serology.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗
PubMed1985

Serologic and intradermal tests for parasitic infections.

For years, the diagnosis of most parasitic diseases has depended upon the direct demonstration of the parasite or its cysts, eggs, or larvae in specimens. In some infections, direct demonstration of the causative agent or its stages is almost impossible. In such cases, indirect techniques, such as serologic methods, have been found to be more practical and sensitive than are direct methods. Most serologic methods have been devised to detect antibodies. Tests for the detection of antigen are just beginning to be utilized; however, the practicality and under what situations antigen detection tests can be used await further testing. The majority of the serum antibody tests employ a heterogeneous mixture of antigens. Antigens derived from whole adult or larval stages usually result in tests with poor specificity and/or sensitivity. The necessity for better purified and standardized antigens cannot be over emphasized. Although there have been many major advances in the serodiagnosis of parasitic infections, a major drawback to routine use of parasitic serologies is the lack of commercially available reliable test kits. For the diagnosis of most parasitic diseases, one must rely upon specialty laboratories or public health laboratories. Before any laboratory begins to offer parasitic test serologies, they should contact their local or state public health laboratory or the Parasitic Serologic Section of the Centers for Disease Control to determine the pros and cons of these tests. Information of this type should be used to inform the physician of the limitations of the test in the differential diagnosis.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

HLA-B alleles associated with the B15 serologically defined antigens.

Cells expressing HLA molecules in the B15 family were identified by serologic typing in routine testing of volunteer donors of various ethnic backgrounds for a bone marrow registry. DNA sequencing was used to identify HLA-B15 alleles associated with each serologic type and to examine the diversity within the B15 antigen family. Alleles which appeared predominantly in each B15 serologic cluster included: B15 with no defined serologic subdivision (B*1501), B62 (B*1501), B63 (B*1516, B*1517), B75 (B*1502, B*1521), and B76/77 (B*1513). Other B*15 alleles were also found associated with the serotypes and some of these alleles (e.g., B*1501 and B*1516) were found in two or more serologic clusters illustrating the complexity of this family. The B15 unsplit and B75 groups were the most complex exhibiting 16 and 7 alleles, respectively, within each serotype. Five new B*15 alleles (B*1530, B*1531, B*1533, B*1534, B*1535) and 5 other new HLA-B alleles (B*38022, B*3910, B*4010, B*51012, and B*5108) were also identified.

Alleles↗
PubMed2000

[Antibodies against Helicobacter pylori in saliva. Study of their validity versus breath test and its agreement with serology].

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate prospectively the validity of a new diagnostic method based on a saliva sample, taking as reference the breath test with 13C-marked urea, and to compare the results of this technique with another indirect method based on the detection of antibodies, "classical" serology using venous blood. METHODS: 48 individuals, 24 healthy volunteers and 24 consecutive patients with gastro-duodenal ulcer disease, were studied prospectively. Treatment during the previous month with gastro-erosive medication, antibiotics, proton-pump inhibitors or bismuth-derived drugs, prior treatment to eradicate H. pylori, gastric surgery and the presence of linked illnesses, were all considered criteria of exclusion from the study. For the diagnostic test in saliva a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA, trademark Helisal) was used; and for blood serology, another commercial ELISA (Helico-G). The staff responsible for reading the saliva, serology and breath tests did not know the result of the other diagnostic methods. The result of the breath test with 13C-urea (TAU-kit) was taken as the reference standard for H. pylori infection. RESULTS: The mean age of the healthy volunteers was 23 +/- 0.7 years; and of ulcer patients, 55 +/- 18. The prevalence of H. pylori infection, valued by the gold standard, was 79.2% in the ulcer patients and 54% in the volunteers. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of the saliva test in the ulcer patients were, respectively: 100% (95% CI, 79-99), 60% (17-93), 90% (68-98), 100% (31-97) and 92% (71-98). In the volunteers these figures were: 46% (20-74), 73% (39-93), 67% (31-91), 53% (27-78) and 58% (37-77). The serology results were better, with 100% sensitivity in both groups and outstanding diagnostic accuracy (92% and 96% for ulcer patients and volunteers, respectively). Concordance between serology and the saliva test in ulcer patients was perfect (kappa, 1). However, in asymptomatic individuals concordance was deficient (kappa, 0.28), and the prevalence of infection diagnosed with the two tests was not homogeneous (McNemar, 2.8; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The diagnostic test for H. pylori infection in saliva is lacking in diagnostic accuracy in healthy individuals, which indicates that it cannot be used for screening infection in the asymptomatic population. The technique is more valuable in ulcer patients, although it does not reach the specificity desirable. For these reasons, the saliva test evaluated in this study cannot be recommended for diagnosis of H. pylori infection.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

[Study of the validity of "rapid" serology in diagnosing Helicobacter pylori infection].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate prospectively the validity of a < > serology diagnosis method (using capillary blood) in our ambit, taking for reference a combination of standard diagnostic methods. DESIGN: Prospective. The endoscopist, pathologist and those responsible for interpreting the rapid urease test, the breath test and < > serology did not know the results of the other diagnostic methods. SETTING: Gastro-enterology service of a tertiary hospital.Participants. 30 consecutive patients with symptoms attributable to the upper digestive tract and who underwent an oral gastroscopy. Main measurements. Gastric biopsies for histology examination and for the rapid urease test and a breath test with 13C-urea were conducted. For < > serology, the commercial SureStep HP WB test kit was used. A patient was considered infected when at least two of the three validated techniques (rapid urease test, histology, breath test) were positive; and not infected, when all three were negative. RESULTS: 30 patients, 30% male, with a mean age of 51, were included. The reference standard indicated 61% prevalence of infection, with two cases classed as undetermined. < > serology was positive in 8 patients and negative in 22. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were, respectively, 41% (95% CI, 18-65), 91% (74-100), 87% (65-100) and 50% (28-72). The positive probability quotient was 4.5; and the negative, 0.65. CONCLUSION: The < > serology used in the current study has deficient diagnostic accuracy. Therefore, it should not be used in clinical practice to identify H. pylori infection.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed2002

How to substantiate eradication of bovine brucellosis when aspecific serological reactions occur in the course of brucellosis testing.

Collaborative work was financed by the EU to develop and assess new diagnostic tools that can differentiate between bovine brucellosis and bovine infections due to Yersinia enterocolitica O:9 either in conjunction with, or as an alternative to, the classical serological, bacteriological or allergic skin tests. Sixteen heifers were experimentally infected with Brucella abortus biovar 1 (five heifers), Brucella suis biovar 2 (two heifers), Y. enterocolitica O:9 (six heifers) and Y. enterocolitica O:3 (three heifers). Four heifers, naturally infected with Y. enterocolitica O:9 that presented aspecific brucellosis serological reactions were also included in the experiment. A self-limited infection was induced in cattle by B. suis biovar 2. All the brucellosis serological tests used, i.e. the slow agglutination test (SAW), the Rose Bengal test (RB), the complement fixation test (CFT), indirect and competitive ELISA's, lacked specificity when used to analyze sera from Y. enterocolitica O:9 infected animals. A Yersinia outer membrane proteins (YOPs)-ELISA was also used and although the test is able to detect a Yersinia group infection, it provided no evidence of whether or not there is a possible brucellosis infection when dual infections are present. The brucellergen IFN-gamma test showed a lack of specificity also. The only test that was proven to be specific is the brucellergen skin test. All brucellosis serological tests, except the indirect ELISA, were limited in their ability to detect B. abortus persistently infected animals. Based on these experimental studies, a strategy was implemented as part of the year 2001 Belgian Brucellosis Eradication Program to substantiate the eradication of bovine brucellosis. Epidemiological inquiries have identified risk factors associated with aspecific serological reactions, possible transmission and infection of cattle by B. suis biovar 2 from infected wild boars; and both legal and administrative measures taken by the veterinary services. No cases of bovine brucellosis have been confirmed in Belgium since March 2000.

Animals↗