title: A serological survey of Rhodococcus equi infection in foals in central Italy: comparison of two antigens using an ELISA test.
abstract: A serological survey of Rhodococcus equi infection was carried out on 602 blood samples collected from foals in central Italy. The assay was performed with an ELISA test using two different antigens prepared with reference strains of R. equi, ATCC 33071 and ATCC 6939. A positive reaction was obtained on 81 serum samples (13.45%) (OD > or = 0.3) using antigen ATCC 33071, and on 73 serum samples (12.12%) using antigen ATCC 6939. Although the frequency of the disease was not high, the serological positivity was about 13%. There was no statistically significant difference between males and females. The ELISA test using either Antigen 33071 or Antigen 6939 is a rapid and reliable tool for detecting antibodies against R. equi in foals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Science, University of Camerino, Via Circonvallazione, 93/95-62024 Matelica MC, Italy.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cuteri
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Takai
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Moscati
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Battistacci
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pieramati
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Valente
mesh_terms: D000193:Actinomycetales Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006736:Horses; D015994:Incidence; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D016929:Rhodococcus equi / Q000276:immunology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial