Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Detecting antibodies in dogs infected with Angiostrongylus vasorum
By Schucan, A et al.·Published in Veterinary parasitology·2012·Institute of Parasitology·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Detection of specific antibodies in dogs infected with Angiostrongylus vasorum.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs infected with a lungworm called Angiostrongylus vasorum were tested for specific antibodies to help diagnose the infection. The tests showed that certain methods were very effective, detecting antibodies in nearly all dogs that were experimentally infected. After treatment with deworming medication, the dogs' antibody levels dropped significantly, and most became negative for the infection within a few weeks. This suggests that testing for these antibodies can be a reliable way to diagnose and monitor the treatment of this serious condition.
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Abstract
Canine angiostrongylosis, caused by the nematode Angiostrongylus vasorum, is an emerging cardiopulmonary disease in Europe which can be fatal if left untreated. We determined the diagnostic value of the specific detection of antibodies against A. vasorum adult somatic antigen, adult excretory/secretory (E/S) antigen and first stage larvae (L1) somatic antigen in ELISAs. Also, A. vasorum adult somatic antigen purified by monoclonal antibodies (mAb) was evaluated in a sandwich-ELISA. Among the crude antigens, the best sensitivities when testing 21 naturally infected dogs were obtained using adult E/S and somatic antigen (85.7% and 76.2%, respectively), which were comparable with the results of the sandwich-ELISA based on mAb-purified antigens (81%). The ELISA performed with L1 antigen had the lowest sensitivity (42.9%). In experimentally inoculated dogs, the sensitivities ranged from 97.7% to 100% with all test settings. The specificity was 98.8% (92.5-99.9%, 95% CI) with all ELISAs using sera of 82 randomly selected dogs. Cross-reactions using adult somatic, adult E/S and L1 somatic antigen were observed in sera of dogs infected with Crenosoma vulpis, Dirofilaria immitis, Dirofilaria repens, and Eucoleus aerophilus. In contrast, using the mAb-purified antigens, the cross-reactions were minimal. Depending on the antigens used, specific antibodies were detected starting between 13 and 21 days post experimental inoculation (dpi), and at latest between 35 and 48 dpi, thus before or around the onset of patency. The serological follow-up of four A. vasorum-infected dogs after anthelmintic treatment at 88 dpi showed a decrease of antibody levels after drug administration, and the animals became seronegative 2-9 weeks later. Two untreated dogs remained seropositive. In four dogs treated 4 dpi, virtually no antibody-reaction was detectable, with the exception of the ELISA performed with L1 antigen. The early detection of specific antibodies against A. vasorum by ELISA represents a valid alternative for a reliable diagnosis and for follow-up investigations after anthelmintic treatment.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22051072/