Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Detecting Aspergillus Antibodies in Cats with Upper Respiratory
By Barrs, V R et al.·Published in Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)·2015·Faculty of Veterinary Science, Australia·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Detection of Aspergillus-specific antibodies by agar gel double immunodiffusion and IgG ELISA in feline upper respiratory tract aspergillosis.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of cats with upper respiratory issues was tested for a fungal infection called aspergillosis, which is caused by the Aspergillus fungus. The tests included two methods: one that showed a lower success rate (43% sensitivity) and another that was much more effective (95.2% sensitivity) in detecting specific antibodies related to the infection. Brachycephalic breeds, like Persians and Bulldogs, were found to be more prone to this condition. The study concluded that the IgG ELISA test is a reliable way to diagnose feline upper respiratory tract aspergillosis, helping veterinarians identify and treat affected cats effectively.
People also search for: cat upper respiratory infection treatment · feline aspergillosis symptoms · brachycephalic cat respiratory problems
Abstract
Feline upper respiratory tract aspergillosis (URTA) is an emerging infectious disease. The aims of this study were: (1) to assess the diagnostic value of detection of Aspergillus-specific antibodies using an agar gel double immunodiffusion (AGID) assay and an indirect immunoglobulin G (IgG) ELISA; and (2) to determine if an aspergillin derived from mycelia of Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus can be used to detect serum antibodies against cryptic Aspergillus spp. in Aspergillus section Fumigati. Sera from cats with URTA (group 1: n = 21) and two control groups (group 2: cats with other upper respiratory tract diseases, n = 25; group 3: healthy cats and cats with non-respiratory, non-fungal illness, n = 84) were tested. Isolates from cats with URTA comprised A. fumigatus (n = 5), A. flavus (n = 1) and four cryptic species: Aspergillus felis (n = 12), Aspergillus thermomutatus (Neosartorya pseudofischeri, n = 1), Aspergillus lentulus (n = 1) and Aspergillus udagawae (n = 1). Brachycephalic purebred cats were significantly more likely to develop URTA than other breeds (P = 0.013). The sensitivity (Se) of the AGID was 43% and the specificity (Sp) was 100%. At a cut-off value of 6 ELISA units/mL, the Se of the IgG ELISA was 95.2% and the Sp was 92% and 92.9% for groups 2 and 3 cats, respectively. Aspergillus-specific antibodies against all four cryptic species were detected in one or both assays. Assay Se was not associated with species identity. Detection of Aspergillus-specific antibodies by IgG ELISA has high Se and Sp for diagnosis of feline URTA.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25634077/