Comparison of an indirect fluorescent antibody test with Western blot for the detection of serum antibodies against Encephalitozoon cuniculi in cats. 2014

Frank Künzel, and Roman Peschke, and Alexander Tichy, and Anja Joachim
Clinical Department of Small Animals and Horses, Clinic of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria, frank.kuenzel@vetmeduni.ac.at.

Current clinical research indicates that Encephalitozoon (E.) cuniculi infections in cats may be underdiagnosed, especially in animals with typical ocular signs (cataract/anterior uveitis). Although molecular detection of the pathogen in tissue appears promising, serology remains the major diagnostic tool in the living animal. While serological tests are established for the main host of E. cuniculi, the rabbit, the routine serological diagnosis for cats still needs validation. The aim of the study was to evaluate the consistency of indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT) and Western blot (WB) for the detection of IgG antibodies against E. cuniculi in the serum of 84 cats. In addition, PCR of liquefied lens material or intraocular fluid was performed in those of the cats with a suspected ocular E. cuniculi infection. Twenty-one cats with positive PCR results were considered as a positive reference group. Results obtained by IFAT and WB corresponded in 83/84 serum samples, indicating a very good correlation between both serological methods. Using WB as the standard reference, sensitivity and specificity for the detection of antibodies against E. cuniculi by the IFAT were 97.6 and 100%, respectively. The positive and negative predictive values for the IFAT were 100 and 97.7%, respectively. The accuracy (correct classified proportion) for the detection of IgG antibodies against E. cuniculi in cats was 98.8%. The comparison of both serological methods with the PCR results also revealed a good agreement as 20 out of 21 PCR-positive samples were seropositive both in IFAT and WB. Both tests can be considered as equally reliable assays to detect IgG antibodies against E. cuniculi in cats. As the IFAT is quicker and easier to perform, it is recommended for routine use in the diagnosis of feline encephalitozoonosis.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007074 Immunoglobulin G The major immunoglobulin isotype class in normal human serum. There are several isotype subclasses of IgG, for example, IgG1, IgG2A, and IgG2B. Gamma Globulin, 7S,IgG,IgG Antibody,Allerglobuline,IgG(T),IgG1,IgG2,IgG2A,IgG2B,IgG3,IgG4,Immunoglobulin GT,Polyglobin,7S Gamma Globulin,Antibody, IgG,GT, Immunoglobulin
D009670 Encephalitozoon cuniculi A species of parasitic FUNGI. This intracellular parasite is found in the BRAIN; HEART; and KIDNEYS of several MAMMALS. Transmission is probably by ingestion of the spores (SPORES, FUNGAL). Nosema cuniculi
D011817 Rabbits A burrowing plant-eating mammal with hind limbs that are longer than its fore limbs. It belongs to the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha, and in contrast to hares, possesses 22 instead of 24 pairs of chromosomes. Belgian Hare,New Zealand Rabbit,New Zealand Rabbits,New Zealand White Rabbit,Rabbit,Rabbit, Domestic,Chinchilla Rabbits,NZW Rabbits,New Zealand White Rabbits,Oryctolagus cuniculus,Chinchilla Rabbit,Domestic Rabbit,Domestic Rabbits,Hare, Belgian,NZW Rabbit,Rabbit, Chinchilla,Rabbit, NZW,Rabbit, New Zealand,Rabbits, Chinchilla,Rabbits, Domestic,Rabbits, NZW,Rabbits, New Zealand,Zealand Rabbit, New,Zealand Rabbits, New,cuniculus, Oryctolagus
D002371 Cat Diseases Diseases of the domestic cat (Felis catus or F. domesticus). This term does not include diseases of the so-called big cats such as CHEETAHS; LIONS; tigers, cougars, panthers, leopards, and other Felidae for which the heading CARNIVORA is used. Feline Diseases,Cat Disease,Disease, Cat,Disease, Feline,Diseases, Cat,Diseases, Feline,Feline Disease
D002415 Cats The domestic cat, Felis catus, of the carnivore family FELIDAE, comprising over 30 different breeds. The domestic cat is descended primarily from the wild cat of Africa and extreme southwestern Asia. Though probably present in towns in Palestine as long ago as 7000 years, actual domestication occurred in Egypt about 4000 years ago. (From Walker's Mammals of the World, 6th ed, p801) Felis catus,Felis domesticus,Domestic Cats,Felis domestica,Felis sylvestris catus,Cat,Cat, Domestic,Cats, Domestic,Domestic Cat
D004285 Dogs The domestic dog, Canis familiaris, comprising about 400 breeds, of the carnivore family CANIDAE. They are worldwide in distribution and live in association with people. (Walker's Mammals of the World, 5th ed, p1065) Canis familiaris,Dog
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D000908 Antibodies, Fungal Immunoglobulins produced in a response to FUNGAL ANTIGENS. Fungal Antibodies
D012680 Sensitivity and Specificity Binary classification measures to assess test results. Sensitivity or recall rate is the proportion of true positives. Specificity is the probability of correctly determining the absence of a condition. (From Last, Dictionary of Epidemiology, 2d ed) Specificity,Sensitivity,Specificity and Sensitivity
D015153 Blotting, Western Identification of proteins or peptides that have been electrophoretically separated by blot transferring from the electrophoresis gel to strips of nitrocellulose paper, followed by labeling with antibody probes. Immunoblotting, Western,Western Blotting,Western Immunoblotting,Blot, Western,Immunoblot, Western,Western Blot,Western Immunoblot,Blots, Western,Blottings, Western,Immunoblots, Western,Immunoblottings, Western,Western Blots,Western Blottings,Western Immunoblots,Western Immunoblottings

Related Publications

Frank Künzel, and Roman Peschke, and Alexander Tichy, and Anja Joachim
January 1973, Proceedings, annual meeting of the United States Animal Health Association,
Frank Künzel, and Roman Peschke, and Alexander Tichy, and Anja Joachim
January 1973, Folia parasitologica,
Frank Künzel, and Roman Peschke, and Alexander Tichy, and Anja Joachim
January 2003, Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc,
Frank Künzel, and Roman Peschke, and Alexander Tichy, and Anja Joachim
March 1985, South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde,
Frank Künzel, and Roman Peschke, and Alexander Tichy, and Anja Joachim
September 1979, Journal of the South African Veterinary Association,
Frank Künzel, and Roman Peschke, and Alexander Tichy, and Anja Joachim
April 1980, Laboratory animals,
Frank Künzel, and Roman Peschke, and Alexander Tichy, and Anja Joachim
January 1977, Acta veterinaria Scandinavica,
Frank Künzel, and Roman Peschke, and Alexander Tichy, and Anja Joachim
April 1994, The Indian journal of medical research,
Frank Künzel, and Roman Peschke, and Alexander Tichy, and Anja Joachim
November 2004, Clinical and diagnostic laboratory immunology,
Copied contents to your clipboard!