title: Potential application of serological tests on fluids from carcasses: detection of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii and Sarcoptes scabiei in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Serological surveys for disease investigation of wild animal populations require obtaining blood samples for analysis, which has logistic, ethic and economic difficulties. Applying serological test to fluids collected from dead animals is an alternative. The aim of this study was to assess if antibodies could be detected in two types of fluids collected from 56 carcasses of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes): pleural fluid and lung extract.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 22 (39%) foxes antibodies against Sarcoptes scabiei were detected in both fluid types by ELISA and Western blot. In 46 (82%) foxes, antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii were detected in pleural fluid and in 41 (73%) in lung extract applying a Toxo-screen test (DAT). Antibodies were still detectable in the same fluids kept at room temperature for 28 days, although in fewer foxes (16 and 14 foxes tested for T. gondii in lung extract and pleural fluid respectively; and 1 and 4 tested for S. scabiei in lung extract and pleural fluid respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results indicate the potential utility of using fluids from carcasses for antibody screening of wild animals at the population level.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Wildlife Diseases, National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: Eva-Britt
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Jakubek
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mattsson
authors.forename: Torsten
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mörner
authors.forename: Jens G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Mattsson
authors.forename: Dolores
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gavier-Widén
mesh_terms: D000372:Agglutination Tests / Q000379:methods* / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods* / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D005589:Foxes / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology*; D008168:Lung / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012520:Sarcoptes scabiei / Q000276:immunology; D012532:Scabies / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D035423:Thoracic Cavity / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology; D013997:Time Factors; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan