title: Serology and anthrax in humans, livestock and Etosha National Park wildlife.
abstract: Results are presented from a number of epidemiological studies using enzyme immunoassays (EIA) based on the purified anthrax toxin antigens, protective antigen, lethal factor and oedema factor. Studies on sera from a group of 62 human anthrax patients in Turkey and from cattle in Britain following two unrelated outbreaks of anthrax show that EIA using protective antigen can be a useful diagnostic aid and will detect subclinical infections in appropriate circumstances. A serological survey on wildlife in the Etosha National Park, Namibia, where anthrax is endemic, showed that naturally acquired anthrax-specific antibodies are rare in herbivores but common in carnivores; in carnivores, titres appear to reflect the prevalence of anthrax in their ranges. Problems, as yet unresolved, were encountered in studies on sera from pigs following an outbreak of anthrax on a farm in Wales. Clinical details, including treatment, of the human and one of the bovine outbreaks are summarized and discussed in relation to the serological findings.
authors.affiliation: Division of Biologics, Public Health Laboratory Service Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research, Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK.
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Turnbull
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Doganay
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Lindeque
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Aygen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McLaughlin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild / Q000276:immunology; D000881:Anthrax / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D002648:Child; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D009276:Namibia / Q000453:epidemiology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012698:Serologic Tests / Q000379:methods*; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology