The role of the serum tube agglutination test in the monitoring of human brucellosis: evaluation of post-treatment SAT titers

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Positive results of the serum tube agglutination test that persist after treatment may be interpreted by clinicians as treatment failures. Therefore, our study examined the value of serum tube agglutination test in demonstrating treatment success. METHODS: In this retrospective study conducted at a single center, the pre- and post-treatment serum tube agglutination test titers of patients diagnosed with brucellosis were compared. RESULTS: The end-of-treatment serum tube agglutination test titer was negative in 24 (18%) of 139 patients diagnosed with brucellosis. The most common complaints of the patients were fever (78.4%), chills (88.5%), sweating (84.9%), anorexia (79.1%), and arthralgia (63.3%). The rate of positive blood culture before the treatment was 68.3%. The absence of fever (p=0.005) and arthralgia (p=0.024) and the pretreatment serum tube agglutination test titer of <1/160 (p=0.014) were significant markers of serological cure. CONCLUSION: Although serum tube agglutination test is an effective and very successful test in the diagnosis of brucellosis, our study shows that serum tube agglutination test is not useful in demonstrating the treatment success of human brucellosis in the early post-treatment period.

Prevalencia de leptospirosis en perros de trabajo vacunados y en población humana con riesgo ocupacional / Prevalence of leptospirosis in vaccinated working dogs and humans with occupational risk

Introducción. Los perros de trabajo pueden infectarse con diversas serovariedades de Leptospira que se mantienenen sus túbulos renales e intersticios por mucho tiempo, por lo que se convierten en portadores y fuentes de infección para otros huéspedes. Objetivo. Establecer la prevalencia de Leptospira spp. en perros de trabajo vacunados y en población humana con riesgo ocupacional de seis unidades policiales en Colombia. Materiales y métodos. Mediante tres instrumentos estructurados, se evaluaron 92 perros de trabajo con inmunización previa contra Leptospira spp. (65 machos y 27 hembras) y 69 personas de seis unidades policiales de los municipios de Manizales, Pereira, Armenia, Ibagué, Tuluá y Cali. Se obtuvieron muestras sanguíneas de las personas y de los perros, las cuales se evaluaron mediante la prueba de microaglutinación (Microscopic Agglutination Test, MAT) en 24 serogrupos. Se hizo un examen clínico de los perros y se obtuvieron muestras de orina para urocultivo. Resultados. La seroprevalencia de leptospirosis en las personas fue de 2,9 % (n=2) y en los perros de 57,61 % (n=53). Los serogrupos más prevalentes en los perros fueron Leptospira canicola y L. panama. El urocultivo fue positivo en 58,7 % (54/92) de las muestras y se encontró asociación estadísticamente significativa entre la edad de los perros (≥10 años; p=0,043) y la ubicación de la unidad policial (p=0,016). Conclusión. Las características epidemiológicas de la leptospirosis en los perros sugieren una presentación endémica de la infección. Se requieren algoritmos diagnósticos sensibles y específicos para investigar la leptospirosis canina y diferenciar los anticuerpos vacunales de la infección natural.

Introduction: Working dogs have been identified as a risk group for developing leptospirosis because they can be infected by Leptospira spp., which can be kept in the renal tubules and interstices for a long time, making them carriers and sources of infection for other hosts, including humans. Objective: To establish the prevalence of Leptospira spp. in vaccinated working dogs and in the occupationally exposed population in six police units in Colombia. Materials and methods: A total of 92 vaccinated dogs (65 males and 27 females) and 69 people from six police units in the municipalities of Manizales, Pereira, Armenia, Ibagué, Tuluá, and Cali were tested. Three structured instruments were applied and blood samples were obtained from people and dogs, which were processed with the microagglutination test (MAT) in 24 serogroups. A clinical examination of the dogs was performed and urine samples were obtained for urine cultures. Results: The seroprevalence of human leptospirosis was 2.9% (n=2) and in dogs, it was 57.61% (n=53). Among the dogs, serogroups L. canicola and L. panama were the most prevalent. Urine cultures were positive in 58.7% (54/92) of the samples. A statistically significant association was found between the age of the dogs (≥10 years; p=0.043) and the location of the police unit (p=0.016) with the urine culture. Conclusion: The epidemiological characteristics of leptospirosis in dogs suggest an endemic presentation of the infection. There is an urgent need to improve current diagnostic methods to investigate canine leptospirosis and differentiate between vaccine and natural infection antibodies.

Serological Evaluation of Clinically Suspected Leptospirosis Cases in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic infection caused by the spirochaete Leptospira, which has worldwide distribution. Laboratory diagnosis is routinely performed by serological tests like dipstick assay, lateral flow assay and latex agglutination which are rapid tests recommended for screening the disease. Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) is the standard test for serological diagnosis of leptospiral infection which is not included in the test panel in most of the peripheral laboratories as the procedure is laborious and it requires to maintain live leptospira. Therefore, one of the rapid tests is routinely employed for demonstration of leptospiral antibodies. Our objective was to screen the acute cases of leptospirosis by Leptochek WB IgM and PanBio IgM Elisa and compare the findings with the MAT and correlate the clinical findings with the serological tests.METHODSThis study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Mangalore from August 2010 to September 2013. A total of 314 cases of clinically suspected leptospirosis were included based on the Faine’s criteria. Patients’ serum was screened for leptospiral antibodies by Leptochek WB IgM, PanBio IgM ELISA and Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT).RESULTSOut of 314 clinically suspected cases screened, seropositivity for leptospirosis by Leptochek WB-IgM, PanBio IgM ELISA and MAT was found to be 49 (15.6%), 65 (20.7%) and 78 (24.8%) respectively. Thus, an overall prevalence rate of leptospirosis was 24.8% (78/314) based on the MAT test. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of Leptocheck WB IgM was 53.8%, 97%, 85.7 and 86.4% with MAT while the comparative values of PanBio-ELISA IgM with respect to MAT test was 74.5%, 97 %, 89.2% and 92% respectively. Common clinical features among MAT positive cases were fever, chills and rigors, oliguria, vomiting, jaundice and headache.CONCLUSIONSMAT is a standard serological test for Leptospirosis. This test is not always available for peripheral health centres, as the test is time consuming and cumbersome. Thus, screening tests are now being employed for screening the patients. Rapid tests like Leptocheck -WB can be supplemented with an ELISA test for screening of clinically suspected cases of Leptospirosis and later confirmed with the MAT at reference centres.

Avaliação das reações de Hemaglutinação Indireta (HI) e Aglutinação Modificada (MAT) na detecção de anticorpos IgG anti-T. gondii em exsudatos cárneos bovinos / Evaluation of indirect Hemagglutination (HI) and Modified Agglutination (MAT) reactions in the detection of anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies in bovine meat exudates

Toxoplasmose é uma zoonose parasitária com ampla distribuição mundial provocada pelo Toxoplasma gondii, considerado um dos protozoários mais bem sucedidos do planeta, pois infecta cerca de um terço da população mundial. Dentre as formas de transmissão, o consumo de carne mal cozida, contendo cistos, tem sido considerado um fator de risco para aquisição desta zoonose. Uma abordagem alternativa para o controle da toxoplasmose pela ingestão de carne bovina seria a sorologia dos bovinos, já que animais soropositivos albergam cistos teciduais. Contudo, a obtenção de soro para esta avaliação, nem sempre é factível, dada a dificuldade de coleta de sangue durante a linha de abate e sua ausência em cortes comerciais. O exsudato cárneo é uma alternativa para detecção de anticorpos anti - T. gondii em cortes comerciais de carne, que foi a proposta deste estudo para avaliar o desempenho dos testes de Hemaglutinação Indireta (HI) e Aglutinação Modificada (MAT) quando comparados ao ELISA usando exsudato cárneo. Este estudo mostrou que a acurácia dos testes de aglutinação não foi viável devido aos baixos índices de sensibilidade e especificidade quando comparados ao ELISA. Estes dados demonstram a importância da escolha de testes eficientes como ELISA para aplicação no controle da qualidade e inocuidade de cortes comerciais de carne bovina.

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic zoonosis with a wide worldwide distribution caused by Toxoplasma gondii, which is considered one of the most successful protozoa on the planet, since it can infect a third of the world population. Among the forms of transmission, consumption of undercooked meat has been considered as a risk factor for the acquisition of this zoonosis. An alternative approach to toxoplasmosis control by beef ingestion could be the serological diagnosis in cattle, since seropositives animals harbor tissue cysts. However, the use of serum for this evaluation is not always feasible due to the difficulty of blood collection during slaughter and its absence in commercial beef cuts. Meat exudate is an alternative for the detection of anti-T. gondii antibodies in commercial beef cuts, which was the propose of this study to evaluate the performance of Indirect Hemagglutination (HI) and Agglutination Modified (MAT) tests compared to ELISA using meat exudates. This study showed that the agglutination tests accuracy was not viable due to low sensitivity and specificity indexes when compared to ELISA. These data demonstrate the importance of choosing accurate tests such as ELISA for application in quality control and safety of commercial beef cuts.

Incidencia y subregistro de casos de leptospirosis diagnosticados con tres métodos diferentes en Urabá, Colombia / Incidence and underreporting of leptospirosis comparing three diagnostic methods in the endemic region of Urabá, Colombia

Resumen Introducción. La leptospirosis representa un problema de salud pública y es una causa importante de morbimortalidad en la región de Urabá, cuya notificación se ve afectada por las deficiencias en el diagnóstico. Objetivo. Establecer la incidencia de la leptospirosis en los municipios del llamado 'eje bananero' de la región de Urabá, documentar la magnitud del subregistro y proponer orientaciones para el diagnóstico por laboratorio por parte de la red de salud pública. Materiales y métodos. Se compararon dos fuentes de información sobre la leptospirosis: el sistema oficial nacional de vigilancia y un estudio transversal de 479 pacientes febriles, llevado a cabo entre abril de 2010 y mayo de 2012. El diagnóstico se hizo con base en tres pruebas: inmunofluorescencia indirecta, microaglutinación y hemocultivo. La exhaustividad de cada fuente de información se estimó mediante el método de captura y recaptura. Resultados. El 58 % (278/479) de los pacientes fueron positivos para leptospirosis, por lo menos, en una de las pruebas y, el 10,43 % (29/278), en las tres. La inclusión de una cepa nativa en el panel de la prueba de microaglutinación aumentó el porcentaje de positividad en 15 %. La tasa acumulada de incidencia fue de 66,5 por 100.000 habitantes y la proporción de letalidad fue de 2,15 %. El subregistro de la morbilidad por leptospirosis en la región de Urabá, fue de 27,8 % y, el de la mortalidad, de 66,6 %. Conclusión. El subregistro de leptospirosis en la región reitera la necesidad de usar más de una prueba diagnóstica para identificar Leptospira spp. en pacientes de zonas endémicas. Este subregistro podría ser una situación común en todo el país.

Abstract Introduction: Leptospirosis represents a public health problem and is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the region of Urabá. However, its notification reveals diagnostic limitations. Objective: To establish the incidence of leptospirosis in the municipalities of the so-called eje bananero in the Urabá region, to describe the magnitude of underreporting, and to propose guidelines for laboratory diagnosis by the public health network. Materials and methods: Two leptospirosis information sources were used: The national official surveillance system and a cross-sectional study of 479 acute-phase patients from April, 2010, to May, 2012. The diagnosis was made using three different tests: Indirect immunofluorescence, microagglutination test, and blood cultures. The exhaustiveness percentage of each information source was calculatedusing thecapture and recapture test. Results: From the total number of cases, 58% (278/479) were positive for leptospirosis at least by a test and 10.43% (29/278) of cases were positive by all three methods. The inclusion of a native strain in the microagglutination test panel increased the percentage of positivity by 15%. The cumulative incidence rate was 66.5/100,000 inhabitants and the case fatality ratio was 2.15%. The underreporting rates of leptospirosis in the Urabá region were 27.8% in morbidity and 66.6% in mortality. Conclusion: Under-registration of leptospirosis in the region highlights the necessity to use more than one diagnostic test to identify Leptospira in patients from endemic areas. Under-registration could be a common situation throughout the country.

Evaluation of the chemiluminescence immunoassay for diagnosis of syphilis in the clinical screening test / 中华检验医学杂志

Objective To evaluate the specificity of Architect chemiluminescence immunoassay ( CLIA) for diagnosis of syphilis in the clinical screening test.Methods 65 774 syphilis specific antibody results in the Beijing Tongren Hospital were retrospectively analyzed.In this study, Architect CLIA for diagnosis of syphilis was used as a screening test for the pre-operative patients from August 2011 to July 2012.All the repeatedly reactive samples were tested by the tolulized red unheated serum test ( TRUST) and Treponema pallidum particle agglutination ( TPPA) assay.Samples with with discordant results were verified by western blot ( WB) Finally, all the results were statistically analyzed by software SPSS 17.0.Results Among 65 774 samples, 940 (1.43%) were found to be repeatedly reactive using the Architect CLIA.Of these sera, 330 ( 35.11%) were reactive and 610 ( 64.89%) were nonreactive by TRUST.Because a TRUST titer of 1:1was not always sufficient to confirm a TPPA reactive result, all the samples with CLIA reactive results were finally performed by TPPA assays.The results showed that 843 ( 89.68%) were positive and 97 (10.32%) were negative.After arbitrated by the WB, out of 97 TPPA negative sera, 18 (18.56%) were positive;7(7.22%) were indeterminate and 72(74.23%) were negative.Conclusions The specificity of Architect CLIA for diagnosis of syphilis was 99.89%.The results showed that confirmation by TPPA on sera with screening test for syphilis by Architect CLIA effectively decreased the false-positive results and could be suitable for a routine supplementary for syphilis.However, if necessary, the WB should be further utilized.

Comparison of passive particle agglutination test and ELISA determination of antibody isotype on Mycoplasma pneumonia infection / 中华检验医学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the consistency between the results of passive particle agglutination test ( PPA ) and ELISA on Mycoplasma pneumonia ( M.pneumonia ) infection.Study the diagnostic value of both assays.Methods From November 2010 to May 2011,the serum samples of ]191 patients with respiratorysymptoms were collected fromAffiliatedHospitalof JiningMedical University.All samples were tested for antibody levels against M.pneumonia using PPA,and for IgM,IgG,IgA subclass using ELISA.The correlation between the results of two methods was evaluated by Kappa test and Spearman rank correlation analysis.The variances of the antibody subclasses among samples with different PPA titers and different age groups were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test.The infection status of patients was analyzed based on ELISA results and the clinical relevance of both assays was evaluated in comparison with clinical diagnosis for samples with high PPA titer.ResultsThe level of agreement between the results of PPA and ELISA was 84.3％,with Kappa value of 0.642 ( P ＜0.01 ).The prevalence of IgM and IgA antibody against M.pneumonia was significantly different among samples with various PPA titers ( P ＜0.05 ).The prevalence of IgM subclass was higher in chill and teeuager groups,while that of IgA and IgG were higher in elderly group.Antibody isotyping results suggested that 58.1％ of PPA positive samples (75 cases),especially 96.4％ of samples with high PPA titer ( 27 cases),were of current infection,which was in consistent with clinical diagnosis.ConclusionPPA showed good consistency with ELISA on diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumonia infection.Antibody subclass determination hy ELISA indicates disease progression,thus to differentiate current infection from past.

Titers of ABO antibodies in group O blood donors

BACKGROUND: Plasma components of group O blood donations are rarely submitted to ABO antibody titrations even though it is well known that passively acquired antibodies may destroy the recipient's own red cells and tissue grafts. OBJECTIVE: Thus, group O donations stratified by gender and age were randomly titrated to identify the best source of products for apheresis and exsanguinous transfusion. METHODS: Samples from 603 blood donors were tested by ABO antibody titration using the conventional tube technique at room temperature. ABO antibody levels higher than 64 were considered high. After correction for gender, statistical analyses were performed using the Fisher exact and Kruskal-Wallis tests. RESULTS: Most donors in the blood bank were male (65.7 percent). ABO antibody titers ranged from 1 to 2048. The estimations of prevalence for the titers were: anti-A,B < 128 = 86.9 percent and > 128 = 2.16 percent; Anti-A > 128 = 9.29 percent and anti-B > 128 = 4.81 percent. Low mean titers for both anti-A and anti-B antibodies were found in over 50-year-old men (p-value = 0.040). High anti-B antibody levels were found in young women (p-value = 0.002). CONCLUSION: This study confirms that over 50-year-old O group men should be selected as blood donors in non-identical ABO transfusion situations. Also, titration of ABO antibodies in blood banks will increase safety in non-identical ABO transfusions.

Seroepidemiology of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection and evaluation of antibiotics medication / 中华检验医学杂志

ObjectiveTo analyze the seroepidemiologic of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection and evaluate antibiotics medication of some positive patients by follow-up. Methods Serodia-MycolⅡ particle agglutination assay was used to detect serum antibodies against Mycoplasma pneumoniae in 3 134 clinically suspected infections. Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection was determined and seroepidemiologic was analyzed by results of the test, including positive antibody rates in whole subjects, in male or female groups, in different seasons or age groups as well as in different sources. Evaluate antibiotics medication of some positive patients by follow-up. The average days of medication were counted, different antibiotics medication and medication effect were analyzed. Results In 3 134 serum samples from clinically suspected Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections, 350 ( 11.2％ ) were tested with positive antibodies. The positive antibody rate in female patients was 12. 3％ ( 198/1 604), which was higher than 9. 9％ ( 152/1 530) in males (X2 =4. 58,P ＜0. 05). The peak season was found in the fourth quarter (October-December) with 13.2％ of positive antibody and the highest positive rate (32. 8％, 45/137 ) was found in school aged (5 -9 years old )children. Samples from pediatrics clinic and ward were tested to have highest positive rates ( 27. 9％ and 26. 5％, respectively ), comparing that from other sources. Infection due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae was identified in 28％ (7/25) of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) patients, which is higher than other diseases. Based on the follow-up of 91 antibody positive patients, between 5 to 120 days ( mean 24. 2 days )were counted from appearance of clinical symptoms to clinic visiting/testing. 71 of 91 (78. 0％ ) patients was medicated with macrolide antibiotics, 4 (4. 4％ ) with quinolones, 4 (4. 4％ ) with cephalosporin, and the rest 12 ( 13.2％ ) patients were medicated with other antibiotics or only symptomatic treatment. The average period of antibiotics medication was between 3 to 21 days (mean 8. 2 days). Medication effect results by follow-up were cure in 35 ( 38. 5％ ), improvement in 50 (54. 9％ ), and poor responses in 6 (6. 6％ ).ConclusionsMycoplasma pneumoniae positive rate in female patients was higher than in males, and peak rate was found in the fourth quarter and in school aged children. Samples from pediatrics clinic and ward were tested to have highest positive rates. Physicians could choose first line antibiotics according to laboratory test results of Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and gain good effect.

Caracterización y optimización del antígeno del líquido hidatídico de ovino y su aplicación en la prueba de látex / Characterization and optimization of sheep hydatid fluid antigen and its application in the latex test

Se caracterizó y optimizó el antígeno del líquido hidatídico de ovino y se aplicó en la prueba de látex como pruebatamiz para el diagnóstico serológico de pacientes con quistes de Echinococcus granulosus. Se evaluó 40 sueros, 15de hidatidosis positivos por inmunoblot, 10 de pacientes con otras enfermedades parasitarias y 15 de personas sanas.Tres de los 15 sueros de hidatidosis resultaron negativos y 0/25 sueros sin hidatidosis fueron reactivos. Se obtuvo una sensibilidad de 80 por ciento (IC95 por ciento: 56,4 a 100 por ciento), especificidad de 100 por ciento (96,7 a 100 por ciento), valor predictivo positivo de 100 por ciento (95,8 a 100 por ciento) y valor predictivo negativo de 83,3 (30,4 a 69,6 por ciento) y una concordancia del 100 por ciento al evaluar la repetibilidad y reproducibilidad de la prueba. Se recomienda el uso de esta prueba para el diagnóstico de la hidatidosis por ser simple, rápida y reproducible, como kit en laboratorio o en campo para estudios epidemiológicos.

It was characterized and optimized sheep hydatid fluid antigen and applied in latex fixation tests as screening test for serological diagnosis of patients with Echinococcus granulosus cysts. We evaluated 40 sera, 15 sera positive by immunoblot from patients with E. granulosus infection, 10 sera from patients with other parasitic diseases and 15 sera from healthy subject. Three of the 15 hydatidosis sera were negative and 0 / 25 sera with hydatidosis were reactive. The sensitivity was 80 per cent (95 per cent CI: 56.4 to 100 per cent), specificity was 100 per cent (96.7 to 100 per cent), positive predictive value of 100 per cent (95.8 to 100 per cent), negative predictive value of 83.3 (30.4 to 69.6 per cent), and repeatability and reproducibility of 100 per cent. We recommended the use of this test for the diagnosis of hydatid disease, because it is simple, fast and reproducible, as a kit in the laboratory or in epidemiological field studies.

Herramientas no invasivas en Venezuela: comparación entre las pruebas inmunoserológicas DAT, rK26 y rK39 en el diagnóstico de leishmaniasis visceral / Non invasive diagnostic tools for visceral leishmaniasis: a comparison of the immunoserological tests DAT, rK26 and rK39

Introducción. La leishmaniasis visceral constituye un problema de salud pública en los países en donde es endémica por ser potencialmente letal, principalmente en niños. El diagnóstico rápido es importante en el control de la enfermedad. Objetivo. Comparar las pruebas inmunocromatográficas rK39 (rK39 dipstick, Kalazar detect test, Inbios Internacional Inc.), ELISA rK26 y la prueba de aglutinación directa (Kit Biomedical Research) en relación con la prueba de ELISA rK39, como herramientas serodiagnósticas para la leishmaniasis visceral en Venezuela.Materiales y métodos. Se estudiaron 50 muestras séricas de pacientes positivos por la prueba ELISA rK39, provenientes de diferentes zonas endémicas: Nueva Esparta, Lara, Anzoátegui y Trujillo; se incluyeron 17 muestras de voluntarios sanos y 25 de pacientes con otras enfermedades. Se utilizó la prueba ELISA rK39 como método de referencia, considerándola como patrón de referencia imperfecto, a partir del cual se determinaron los valores de sensibilidad, especificidad, razón de verosimilitud y valores diagnóstico positivo y negativo en las demás pruebas evaluadas. Resultados. Todas las pruebas mostraron una fuerte correlación (p<0,0001) con la ELISA rK39. La aglutinación directa y la prueba inmunocromatográfica rK39 presentaron altos valores de sensibilidad, 89,74% (IC95% 81,34-98,15) y 94,15% (IC95% 87,65-100), respectivamente, y de especificidad, 81% (IC95% 79,96-99,51) y 100% (IC95% 100-100). La prueba ELISA rK26, a pesar de poseer buena especificidad, 99% (IC95% 95,17-100), tuvo baja sensibilidad, 37% (IC95% 23,41-50,15). Conclusión. Las pruebas de aglutinación directa y la prueba inmunocromatográfica rK39 presentaron los mayores valores de sensibilidad y especificidad. Ambas son simples, económicas y fácilmente aplicables. Por ello, son recomendables para efectuar un diagnóstico de leishmaniasis visceral eficaz y precoz en Venezuela.

Introduction. Human visceral leishmaniasis is a serious public health problem in endemic countries because of its high potential lethality, particularly in children. Rapid diagnosis is essential to early treatment and control of visceral leishmaniasis.Objective. The aim was to compare three serodiagnostic tools for human visceral leishmaniasis. Materials and methods. Three methods were compared: the rK39 dipstick (Kalazar detection test, Inbios International Inc.), ELISA rK26 and direct agglutination test (DAT) (KIT Biomedical Research). Fifty serum samples from patients positive for rK39 ELISA were compared from four endemic provinces in Venezuela: Nueva Esparta (Margarita island), Lara, Anzoátegui and Trujillo. Additional serum samples from 17 healthy volunteers and 25 patients with other diseases were included. The rK39 ELISA served as the baseline standard method. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and likelihood ratio were calculated for each test. Results. All methods had a positive correlation with rK39 ELISA (p<0.0001). They showed high sensitivity and specificity. The direct agglutination test and the rK39 dipstick showed high sensitivity values, 89.7% (95% CI: 81.34.0-98.2%) and 94.2% (95% CI: 87.7-100%), respectively, and high specificity, 81.0% (95% CI: 80.0-99.5%) and 100%. The rK26 ELISA showed good specificity, 99% (95% CI: 95.2-100%), but a very low sensitivity, 37% (95% CI: 23.4-50.2%). Conclusion. Overall results indicated that DAT and rK39 dipstick have the highest specificity and sensitivity. Both are simple, cost-effective and field applicable tests. Therefore, they are recommended for early and accurate diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis.

Serological survey for Leishmania sp. infection in wild animals from the municipality of Maringá, Paraná state, Brazil

Leishmania sp. infection was investigated in wild animals from the Ingá Park, in the municipality of Maringá, Paraná state, Brazil, where American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) is an endemic disease. Sixty-five mammals, comprising Didelphis albiventris, Cerdocyon thous, Lycalopex vetulus, Cebus apella, Dasyprocta azarae, Dasypus novemcinctus, Procyon cancrivorus and Nasua nasua, were captured. Blood samples were collected for parasite cultivation. Antibodies were investigated by direct agglutination test (DAT) using Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis as antigen. Flagellates were observed in blood cultures of 14 (35.9 percent) Didelphis albiventris. Anti-Leishmania antibodies were detected in 31 (51.6 percent) specimens of Cerdocyon thous, Lycalopex vetulus, Cebus apella, Dasyprocta azarae, Procyon cancrivorus and Nasua nasua. These results suggest that Cerdocyon thous and Lycalopex vetulus (crab-eating fox), Cebus apella (capuchin monkey), Dasyprocta azarae (agouti), Procyon cancrivorus (crab-eating raccoon) and Nasua nasua (coati) play an important role in the ACL transmission cycle in the northwestern region of Paraná, Brazil.

Imunodiagnóstico da leptospirose humana. 2. Estudo comparativo das reações de soroaglutinação microscópica, hemaglutinação passiva e imunofluorescência indireta / Immunodiagnosis of human leptospirosis. 2. Comparative study of microscopic agglutination passive hemagglutination and indirect immunofluorescence tests

Foram realizadas provas de hemaglutinação pa.ssiva e de imunefluorescêncía indireta em 98 soros obtidos de 38 pacientes com leptospirose causada presumivelmente pelos soro tipos icterohaemorrhagiae, copenhageni, grippotyphosa ou pomona. Hemácias de carneiro. sensibilizadas com antígeno polissacarfdico F" obtido de leptospira do. sorotípo patoc, foram utilizadas na hemaglutinação passiva. Para a prova de imunofluorescência indireta foram empregados antígenoa íntegros do. mesmo. sorotipo. Os resultados foram comparados com os obtidos através da prova de aglutinação microscópíca, na qual foram empregados .10 soro tipos patogênicos. As reações de hemaglutinação passiva e de imunofluorescência indireta mostraram ser gênero. específicas, sendo. que a primeira caracterizou-se por ser a mais indicada para o. diagnóstico. precoce da leptospirose humana aguda (AU).