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At least 865 records · Page 48Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

The sensitivity of various serologic tests in the diagnosis of Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Sensitivity indices for various serologic tests in the diagnosis of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) were determined from RMSF surveillance data collected at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) during 1981-1984. During these 4 years, a total of 4,141 cases of RMSF in the U.S. were reported to CDC. Case report forms, which include information on dates and results of serologic testing, were received for 3,567 of these cases; 1,774 were laboratory-confirmed according to criteria published previously by CDC. Sensitivity indices for the Weil-Felix (Proteus OX-19, OX-2), indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA), latex agglutination (LA), complement fixation (CF) and indirect hemagglutination (IHA) tests were examined by analyzing cases confirmed by other means, in which data concerning the test in question were available. Analysis of serum pairs for a 4-fold or greater increase in antibody titer or a minimum diagnostic titer indicated high sensitivity indices for IHA (96%) and IFA (94%), but lower sensitivity indices for OX-19 (70%), OX-2 (47%), CF (63%) and LA (71%). IFA and IHA appear to be the most sensitive serologic tests currently in use for the diagnosis of RMSF.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMed1998

Evaluation of the western blot in the confirmatory serologic diagnosis of Chagas' disease.

The Western blot method, using antigens from epimastigote forms of the Trypanosoma cruzi Y strain, was evaluated for the confirmatory diagnosis of Chagas' disease. Serum samples were obtained from 136 chagasic patients (Group I), 23 patients with inconclusive serologic results for Chagas' disease (Group II), 53 patients with other diseases (Group III), and 50 healthy individuals (Group IV). The Western blot results for Group I gave a confirmatory diagnosis of Chagas' diseases in 118 (86.80%), an indeterminate pattern of reactivity in 16 (11.76%), and a negative pattern in only two (1.47%). Of the samples from Groups II, III and IV, none had a positive result in the Western blot; 60.86%, 52.83%, and 16.0%, respectively, showed indeterminate results; and 39.13%, 47,16% and 84,0%, respectively, showed negative results. The Western blot method showed a sensitivity of 86.60%, a specificity of 100.0%, a positive predictive value of 100.0%, and a negative predictive value of 73.50%, and the concordance coefficient kappa was high (0.7789). The results suggest that the previous serologic results for Chagas' disease could be confirmed by Western blot for the detection of specific antibodies to T. cruzi antigenic fractions, which may reduce the medical, legal, and social consequences of an inconclusive serologic result for Chagas' disease and also underscore the need for additional studies for continued efforts in the development of an ideal standard confirmatory test for Chagas' disease.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Comparison of serological tests for the detection of natural heartworm infection in cats.

Serological tests were performed on 380 cats with necropsy-confirmed heartworm disease to compare the performance of currently available commercial laboratory and point-of-care heart-worm serological tests in a heartworm-endemic area. Overall, antigen tests detected 79.3% to 86.2% of heartworm infections and were highly specific. Most cats with false-negative antigen tests had a single male worm. Antibody tests detected 62.1% to 72.4% of heartworm infections and had a wider range of false-positive results (1.4% to 19.1%) than antigen tests (0.3% to 2.0%). Serological tests for feline heartworm infection varied in diagnostic performance. Combining results from antigen and antibody tests achieved greater sensitivity than using either test alone.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Evaluation of culture, histological examination, serology and the rapid urease test for diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori in patients with dyspepsia in Bangladesh.

Helicobacter pylori, a gram-negative, microaerophilic bacterium, has been established to have a causal association with chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, gastric adenocarcinoma, and low-grade lymphoma. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of culture, histological examination, the rapid urease test, and serology for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection. A total of 45 consecutive subjects with various upper gastrointestinal symptoms were included in this study. The rates of diagnosis of H. pylori infection were 51.1%, 55.6%, 82.2%, and 93.3%, by culture, rapid urease test (RUT), histological examination, and serology, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 95.5%, 82.6%, 84.0%, and 95.0%, respectively for RUT; 95.5%, 30.4%, 56.8%, and 87.5% for histological examination; 100%, 13.6%, 54.8% and 100% for serology.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Cat-scratch disease: series of 14 cases. The diagnostic usefulness of serology].

BACKGROUND: Disease by cat scratch (CSD) is a syndrome characterized by regional adenopathies following cat scratch or bite. Despite knowing the etiologic agent of the same, there is still controversy in the diagnosis of the syndrome in daily clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cases of CSD diagnosed from 1990 to 1997 with positive serology for Bartonella henselae performed by indirect immunofluorescence were reviewed. RESULTS: In 13 out of the 14 patients studied direct contact with cats was reported. Lymph node involvement corresponded to the following regions: axillary (57%), inguinal (28%), epitroclear (21%), cervical (14%), and periauricular (7%). In 35% of the cases, several territories were involved. In 3 patients the adenopathies were fluctuating. Eleven anatomopathologic studies were performed with 6 diagnoses of granulomatous adenitis, 3 reactive adenitis and 2 purulent adenitis. The serology for Bartonella henselae was positive in all the patients with a range of 1/64-1/256. The evolution was favorable in all the patients. DISCUSSION: Interpretation of the results of serology should be cautions and always related to the clinical and epidemiological picture of the patient. This technique should be considered as another criteria in the diagnosis of cat scratch disease to the detriment of the cutaneous test.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Serologic testing of horses for granulocytic ehrlichiosis, using indirect fluorescent antibody staining and immunoblot analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To diagnose granulocytic ehrlichiosis in horses, compare results of indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) staining procedures with those of immunoblot analysis, and compare serologic test findings with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results. ANIMALS: 69 horses with high rectal temperatures (> or = 39 C) and lethargy, anorexia, or limb edema. PROCEDURE: 43 convalescent serum samples obtained from 38 horses 2 to 18 weeks after onset of illness were analyzed by use of immunoblot procedures and IFA staining methods, using the NCH-1 or BDS ehrlichial strains. Blood samples from 69 acutely ill horses were tested by PCR to detect ehrlichial DNA. RESULTS: Antibodies to Erlichial equi were detected in serum samples obtained during all seasons; seropositivity rates ranged from 50 to 93%. In IFA assays using the BDS or NCH-1 strain, seropositivity rates were 70 and 79%, respectively, whereas in immunoblot analyses using the NCH-1 strain, a seropositivity value of 79% was recorded. By immunoblot analysis, all serum samples of all seropositive horses were reactive to a protein having molecular mass of about 44 kd. Blood samples from 29 of 69 (42%) acutely ill horses contained ehrlichial DNA. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results of the various serologic testing procedures were in close agreement with each other. All serologic testing methods are suitable for laboratory diagnosis of equine granulocytic ehrlichiosis.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Comparative analysis of serological and molecular results for HLA-DR typing in 120 Thai subjects.

In this study, serological HLA-DR typing results were compared to typing results obtained with sequence-specific primers in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR-SSP). HLA-DR typing was performed on 120 random Thai individuals. Differences in HLA-DR typing results were found in 18 out of 120, which were due to cross reactive antibodies and the lack of potent antisera to define proper HLA-DR splits by serology. Furthermore, PCR-SSP is fast and easy to perform as HLA-DR typing results can be obtained within 2 hours. From the results of this study it can be concluded that PCR-SSP is a reliable and promising technique for HLA-DR typing which can replace the serological technique in routine clinical practice.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed2000

Weak D and partial D in Slovenian population through serology and genotyping.

Weak D red cell phenotype (formerly D(II)) exhibits weaker serological reaction with anti-D antibodies. Weak D occurs in 0.2% to 1% of whites and is caused by qualitatively altered RhD proteins called partial D or normal, only weakly expressed RhD proteins that are called weak D. Partial D genes are hybrid alleles between RHD an RHCE genes. 23 partial RHD alleles are described. Weak D phenotypes with reduced expression are likely to possess the normal RHD gene, but the latest findings indicate that weak D alleles carry at least one point mutation. The aim of the present work was to answer an important question how to approach partial and weak D identification in diagnostic use and if it is possible to distinguish between partial D and weak D using commercially available anti-D reagents for routine use. We also wanted to evaluate D-screen kit for partial D identification. We compared phenotypes identified by serological testing and genotypes identified by RHD Multiplex PCR and D(VII) specific ASPA PCR. Our results showed that it is not possible to distinguish between partial and weak D using commercially available anti-D reagents for routine use. D-screen proved to be useful for D(VI) and D(VII) identification, whereas for partial D(DFR) identification we must look for another set of monoclonal antibodies or simply use genotyping methods. In 44 samples with not interpretable serological results out of 80 we found all RHD specific exons present and we classified the samples as weak D. Fourteen types of weak D with at least one point mutation were recently proposed. Designing of allele specific PCRs for identification of proposed types of weak D is in progress.

Erythrocytes↗
PubMed2002

Herpes B virus-specific pathogen-free breeding colonies of macaques: serologic test results and the B-virus status of the macaque.

The demand by the biomedical research community for B virus-free macaques is growing. The availability of B virus-free macaques has never been greater but still falls short of the current demand. Providing resources depends on the definitions of a specific pathogen-free (SPF) macaque, a B virus-free macaque, and a serologically negative macaque. Many colony managers define a B virus-free macaque in light of the serologic status of the breeding colony, because virus identification is a more complex issue. The lack of a standardized definition of a B virus-free macaque is compounded by the fact that all assays inherently result in some false antibody-positive or -negative data, and reconciliation is equivocal. Long-term follow-up of a colony in which elimination of B virus is actively being attempted will necessarily result in a relatively small sample within the population being incorrectly categorized with regard to antibody status. The goal of this study was to determine whether serially collected serologic data demonstrated patterns that could be used to predict whether an animal was genuinely in the process of B virus antibody seroconversion. The best indication of seroconversion was an ELISA titer of > 1:500 or a positive result on a confirmatory test. Patterns of seroreactivity are more useful in identifying B virus-positive macaques during the screening phase of SPF colony development than during the maintenance phase.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2002

Quality of Lyme disease serology. Lessons from the German Proficiency Testing Program 1999-2001. A preliminary report.

OBJECTIVE: External quality control surveys are an important tool in regulating the quality of infection serology in general and of borreliosis serology in particular. We report on the results of a Lyme disease proficiency testing program which is regularly organised twice a year by our institutions in close cooperation with the Institute of Standardisation in the Medical Laboratory (INSTAND). METHODS: From 1999 to 2001, between 226 and 337 microbiological laboratories participated in each of the four surveys that have been held so far. In addition, between 23 and 30 laboratories from 13 other European countries also participated in each trial. In each survey two serum samples which had been unambiguously characterised by six reference laboratories to contain or not to contain antibodies against the Lyme disease spirochete were distributed in order to determine the accuracy of the diagnostic methods used in participating laboratories. The laboratories also reported interpretative statements of whether or not the test constellation suggested a possible borrelial infection and if an early or late phase of the specific antibody response was suspected. RESULTS: Test results were found to be in part highly variable and clearly correlated with the manufacturers and the applied test methodology. It was also clear that IgM tests were more difficult to handle than were IgG tests. ELISA-testing was more reproducible and proved to be more sensitive and specific than IFA and IHA testing. Quantification of test results and reporting of specific immunoblot bands also showed high variability. Moreover, for some assays a high number of false positive and false negative test results were reported by the participants. CONCLUSION: In view of our results further standardisation of Lyme disease serology is not just desirable but is urgently needed. Moreover, stronger criteria for the validation of available test kits must be applied.

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMed2002

Immunofluorescence in situ and the serologic indices of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) using selected methods. The histological specimens of aneurysm wall were evaluated, the method of immunofluorescence was used to reveal the antigen in the wall of AAA and the titers of specific antibodies of IgG, IgM and IgA classes in blood plasma were marked. Atherosclerotic changes in the aneurysm wall were found in all patients. In 20(87%) patients the C. pneumoniae antigen was seen in the wall of abdominal aneurysm using the indirect immunofluorescence method. A significant relation between the method of direct C. pneumoniae diagnosis, aneurysm symptoms and histologically detected inflammation in its wall was confirmed. Serologic markers of the chronic C. pneumoniae infection were seen in 20(87%) out of 23 patients and in 6(30%) out of 20 subjects of the control group and this difference was statistically significant. It was observed, that all patients with serologic indices of active C. pneumoniae infection, had symptomatic aneurysm. The presence of Chlamydia pneumoniae in the wall of AAA as well as the occurrence of serologic indices of the chronic infection in these patients can confirm the hypothesis of the relation between the infection with this microorganism and the development of the disease.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Serological identification of antigens associated with renal cell carcinoma.

Serological analysis of cDNA expression libraries (SEREX) is a technique designed for the identification of tumor specific antigens serologically recognized by the patient immune system. Application of SEREX to different types of tumor led to the identification of a wide range of tumor-associated antigens. Here we used SEREX to search for new antigens associated with renal cancer. The cDNA expression libraries were prepared from two renal cell carcinoma specimens and screened with the autologous patients sera. A total of 96 positive clones representing 66 different genes were isolated, including 18 genes with unknown function. All positive clones were further characterized by reactivity against a panel of sera from healthy donors and patients with renal cancer. As a result, we identified four antigens with a cancer-related serological profile, which may be used for the diagnostics of renal cancer.

Antibodies↗
PubMed2003

Serologic markers for cytomegalovirus in acute coronary syndromes.

BACKGROUND: Several studies relate cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection to the development of atherosclerosis. Its influence in triggering acute coronary syndromes (ACS) is not known. OBJECTIVES: We set out to identify a relationship between CMV infection, occurrence of ACS and prognosis. METHODS: Serologic markers (IgM and IgG) for CMV were tested prospectively at admission and at 30 days, in patients (pts) admitted to our CCU for ACS. Serologic markers for CMV were also tested in a group of pts with stable coronary artery disease admitted for elective coronary angiography. A greater than two-fold elevation of IgG titer at 30 days was defined as reactivation/reinfection. At 30 days and six months, the composite endpoint of death, myocardial (re)infarction and re-admission for unstable angina was evaluated. RESULTS: There were 60 pts with ACS in the study group (age 63 +/- 10 years, 75% male) and 31 pts in the control group (age 64 +/- 10 years, 71% male). On admission, 95% of the pts with ACS and 81% in the control group presented a positive IgG (p = 0.029). In the study group, at 30 days, the only pt with a 3-fold titer elevation had an endpoint. The percentage was 17% for the group with a > or = 2- and < 3-fold elevation and 11% in the group without reactivation (p = 0.034). At six months, 50% of the patients with a greater than 2-fold titer elevation and 15% of the remaining patients had an endpoint (p = 0.017). In the control group, at 30 days, 3 pts (10%) had a significant elevation in IgG titer, > or = 2- and < 3-fold, without endpoint. CONCLUSIONS: In pts with ACS, we found a higher prevalence of serologic markers for CMV than in pts with stable coronary disease. An elevation in IgG titer for CMV was associated with a worse outcome at 30 days and six months.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Retrospective analysis of platelet serology investigations performed in 1990 by twenty laboratories belonging to the "Cooperative Group for the Study of Platelet Immunology".

BACKGROUND: Retrospective co-operative analysis of platelet serology investigations was performed during 1990 by twenty laboratories from eighteen institutions. METHODS: Data regarding the serological investigations, the methods used and the clinical diagnosis of the patients investigated during 1990 were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 2591 patients was investigated, including 505 potentially alloimmunized subjects and 2086 subjects with autoimmune disease-related conditions. Alloantibodies were detected in 46% of the patients, while autoantibodies were detectable in 30% of the autoimmune conditions. The antibodies were mostly of the IgG class; however, IgM were detected in 19% of alloimmunized patients and in 28% of those with detectable autoantibodies. Each laboratory used one or more methods. In all nine methods were used. CONCLUSIONS: Collection of the multi-center retrospective results gave an approximate picture of the diagnostic potential of the Group, which is ready for the next phase of the cooperative activities that will consist of serological workshops for technical standardization and antibody characterization.

Antibody Specificity↗
PubMed2003

The 2001 serological survey in the Czech Republic--viral hepatitis.

Within serological surveys 2001, prevalence of markers of hepatitis viruses A (anti-HAV), B (anti-HBc, HBsAg, anti-HBs) and for the first time also C (anti-HCV) was investigated. Sera were collected in 2001 and tested by respective kits AxSYM, Abbott. HAV: 2,623 sera were tested for the presence of anti-HAV antibodies. Comparison with serological surveys of 1984 and 1996 revealed again shifts of the age prevalence curve for anti-HAV antibodies towards higher age groups corresponding to time intervals between epidemiological surveys. High prevalence rates of anti-HAV antibodies (more than 20%) were only found for the population age groups who lived in the period of high incidence of VHA, i.e. up to 1965. The prevalence of anti-HAV antibodies increased by about 5-10% in the population under 20 years of age, the increase being significant and assumingly attributable to vaccination against VHA, and remained the same as in 1996 in the age group 20-29 years. HBV: 2,568 sera were tested for the presence of anti-HBc antibodies and 76 reactive specimens were further tested for the presence of HBsAg and anti-HBs antibodies. The prevalence of anti-HBc antibodies continuously increases with age. The total prevalence of anti-HBc antibodies calculated for the Czech population is 5.59% compared to 6.95% recorded in 1996. The calculated prevalence rate of HBsAg is 0.56% and that of anti-HBs antibodies is 3.99% for the non-vaccinee population. HCV: The prevalence rate of anti-HCV antibodies was 0.2% with 6 out of 2,950 sera testing positive. Age dependence could not be assessed because of the small number of positive persons. HCV infection is known to afflict high-risk groups, likely to escape a general serological survey, rather than the normal population.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Serologic assessment of type 1 and type 2 immunity in healthy Japanese adults.

We assessed the informativeness of several serologic biomarkers of immune function using serum specimens collected in the Miyazaki Cohort Study from subjects who were seronegative for anti-human T-cell lymphotrophic virus I and anti-hepatitis C virus. To broadly characterize type 1 immune status, we measured EBV antibody titers, because titer profiles associated with cellular immune suppression are well described. We also tested for three type 2 biomarkers: total serum IgE, soluble CD23, and soluble CD30. Nonreactivity to a tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) skin test is indicative of diminished delayed-type hypersensitivity (type 1) responsiveness in the study population due to a history of tuberculosis exposure or Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccination. We therefore evaluated the serologic markers as predictors of PPD nonreactivity using logistic regression. Subjects whose EBV antibody profiles were consistent with deficient type 1 immunity were more than thrice as likely to be PPD nonreactive as persons with "normal" antibody titers. Elevated total IgE was also strongly associated with PPD nonreactivity (odds ratio 3.4, 95% confidence interval 1.2-9.9); elevated soluble CD23 had a weaker, but positive, odds ratio, whereas soluble CD30 levels were not predictive of PPD status. Therefore, PPD nonreactivity is associated, in this population, with a pattern of serum biomarkers that is indicative of diminished type 1 and elevated type 2 immunity. We conclude that, with the exception of soluble CD30, the serologic markers are informative for the characterization of type 1/type 2 immune status using archived sera from study populations of healthy adults.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Myiasis caused by Oestridae: serological and molecular diagnosis].

Myiasis-causing Oestridae (bot flies) infect several animal species world-wide, from palaearctic to subtropical/tropical areas. Oestrids affect livestock production causing abortion, reduced milk production, losses in weight and fertility, poor hide quality and an impairment of the host's immune system. In the last few years much research has been carried out on the immunology of these infestations, in order to acquire efficient and reliable diagnostic serological tools; the genome of the different species of Oestridae has been studied to further their molecular identification, taxonomy and phylogenesis. The immunodiagnostic methods for many myiasis causing Oestrids have proven to be a viable alternative to the clinical parasitological examination or the post-mortem examination. Numerous serological tests have been developed for the diagnosis of bovine hypodermosis caused by Hypoderma bovis and Hypoderma lineatum, and ELISAs using larval hypodermin C as the antigen are currently used on serum, individual and pooled milk samples to detect the presence of circulating anti-Hypoderma antibodies. In Italy the best period to sample the animals is November-January, since it is in this period that the antibody kinetics of the animals reaches a peak. Recently the efficacy of the ELISA test on pasteurized milk samples has been demonstrated, allowing the diagnosis of bovine hypodermosis also in areas where there is no information on the presence of the disease and the sampling of the animals is laborious. The cross-reactivity between Przhevalskiana silenus antigens and anti-Hypoderma antibodies led to assessing the usefulness of a simple and cost-effective ELISA for the diagnosis of goat warble fly infection. In particular, it has been demonstrated that infected goats display an antibody peak in November-December in blood and milk, thus making this period suitable for sampling. Although no extensive data is available on the immunology of sheep and goat oestrosis caused by Oestrus ovis, the efficacy of ELISA has been demonstrated by correlating serological results with clinical post-mortem examinations. No immunological techniques are currently used to diagnose gasterophilosis of equids and only one study reports the efficacy of ELISA for detecting anti-Gasterophilus antibodies in infected equids. Several studies have been conducted into the molecular characterization of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)--in particular of the gene encoding for the cytochrome oxidase I (COI)--for many free-living and parasitic arthropods for diagnostic, taxonomic and phylogenetic purposes. As regards Oestridae causing myiasis, the first study features a PCR-RFLP assay of the most common Italian species (i.e. H. bovis, H. lineatum, Gasterophilus intestinalis, P. silenus, O. ovis), which showed clear genetic differences among the genera examined, but no inter-specific variation between the two species of Hypoderma considered. The molecular characterization of the most variable region of the COI gene (encoding for the region from E4 to the terminal COOH) was able to clearly differentiate H. bovis and H. lineatum. The E4-COOH region of the COI gene has been characterized for 18 oestrid species and from a taxonomical point of view, molecular data confirm the morphological classification, with the examined species divided into four subfamilies. New insights have also been gained on the molecular differentiation of the most common species of Hypoderma (i.e. H. bovis, H. lineatum, Hypoderma actaeon, Hypoderma diana and Hypoderma tarandi) and, in particular, the restriction enzyme BfaI, provides a diagnostic profile that can be used to simultaneously differentiate all the species examined. The characterization of the E4-COOH COI gene and the hypervariable region of the gene encoding for the ribosomal Isu revealed the identity of Hypoderma sinense as a new species, infecting cattle and yaks in China. Finally, the molecular analysis of the same mitochondrial and ribosomal regions showed that P. silenus, Przhevalskiana aegagri and Przhevalskiana crossii are morphotypes of the same species.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Comparing serology, antigenemia assay and polymerase chain reaction for the diagnosis of cytomegalovirus infection in renal transplant patients.

BACKGROUND: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality following renal transplantation. Currently serology is the only method widely available in our country. Newer methods like early CMV pp65 antigenemia assay and CMV DNA amplification can diagnose CMV disease in its very early period. AIM: The aim of our study was to compare serologic method with antigenemia assay and CMV DNA amplification to diagnose CMV. METHODS: Seventy-three renal transplant recipients (from 7 centres) with clinical suspicion of CMV disease were studied prospectively. The diagnosis of CMV infection was suspected on the basis of fever and leucopenia. RESULT AND DISCUSSION: Three tests were done in all 73 patients and in 22 healthy subjects (control group). The sensitivity and specificity of serological test (CMV IgM) was 72.97 and 62.06%; of antigenemia assay was 89.18 and 100% and of PCR was 100 and 72.41%. CONCLUSION: Antigenemia assay is a sensitive and specific test for early and rapid diagnosis of CMV infection. Qualitative PCR is a sensitive marker but has low specificity.

Adolescent↗