Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Rapid test detects Chagas disease antibodies in US dogs
By Rosypal, Alexa C et al.·Published in The Journal of parasitology·2011·Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Evaluation of a rapid immunochromatographic dipstick test for detection of antibodies to Trypanosoma cruzi in dogs experimentally infected with isolates obtained from opossums (Didelphis virginiana), armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus), and dogs (Canis familiaris) from the United States.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs was tested for exposure to Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes American trypanosomiasis, after being infected with samples from opossums, armadillos, and other dogs. Researchers used a rapid test to check for antibodies in the dogs' blood, finding that it was highly effective, with 91% sensitivity and 98% specificity. This means the test accurately identified most infected dogs and correctly ruled out those that were not infected. The findings suggest that this test could be a helpful tool for veterinarians to screen dogs for this parasite in the U.S.
People also search for: dog trypanosomiasis symptoms · Trypanosoma cruzi test for dogs · how to test dog for parasites
Abstract
Dogs are reservoir hosts for Trypanosoma cruzi , the causative agent of American trypanosomiasis. A rapid immunochromatographic dipstick test (ICT) is available commercially for canine serological testing. The ICT was developed with the use of sera from South American dogs, but it is not routinely used in the United States. We evaluated the utility of the ICT in detecting anti-T. cruzi antibodies in dogs from the United States. Dogs (N  =  64) were experimentally infected with United States' isolates of T. cruzi from an opossum (Didelphis virginiana), an armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus), and a domestic dog (Canis familiaris), and were tested after experimental infection. Sera from uninfected United States dogs (n  =  79; hemaculture negative) were used as negative controls. In a blind study, sera were tested by the ICT and compared to the indirect immunofluorescent antibody test with the use of Brazil-strain epimastigotes as antigen. The sensitivity of the ICT was 91% and the specificity was 98% in dogs experimentally infected with United States isolates. Our study indicates that the ICT could be a useful screening tool for serological surveillance of canine T. cruzi exposure in the United States.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21348621/