title: Detection of Aspergillus-specific antibodies by agar gel double immunodiffusion and IgG ELISA in feline upper respiratory tract aspergillosis.
abstract: Feline upper respiratory tract aspergillosis (URTA) is an emerging infectious disease. The aims of this study were: (1) to assess the diagnostic value of detection of Aspergillus-specific antibodies using an agar gel double immunodiffusion (AGID) assay and an indirect immunoglobulin G (IgG) ELISA; and (2) to determine if an aspergillin derived from mycelia of Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus can be used to detect serum antibodies against cryptic Aspergillus spp. in Aspergillus section Fumigati. Sera from cats with URTA (group 1: n = 21) and two control groups (group 2: cats with other upper respiratory tract diseases, n = 25; group 3: healthy cats and cats with non-respiratory, non-fungal illness, n = 84) were tested. Isolates from cats with URTA comprised A. fumigatus (n = 5), A. flavus (n = 1) and four cryptic species: Aspergillus felis (n = 12), Aspergillus thermomutatus (Neosartorya pseudofischeri, n = 1), Aspergillus lentulus (n = 1) and Aspergillus udagawae (n = 1). Brachycephalic purebred cats were significantly more likely to develop URTA than other breeds (P = 0.013). The sensitivity (Se) of the AGID was 43% and the specificity (Sp) was 100%. At a cut-off value of 6 ELISA units/mL, the Se of the IgG ELISA was 95.2% and the Sp was 92% and 92.9% for groups 2 and 3 cats, respectively. Aspergillus-specific antibodies against all four cryptic species were detected in one or both assays. Assay Se was not associated with species identity. Detection of Aspergillus-specific antibodies by IgG ELISA has high Se and Sp for diagnosis of feline URTA.
authors: Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. Electronic address: vanessa.barrs@sydney.edu.au.
authors: V R
authors: VR
authors: Barrs
authors: Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Ujvari
authors: Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
authors: N K
authors: NK
authors: Dhand
authors: TDDS, Innovation Centre, University of Exeter, Devon, UK.
authors: I R
authors: IR
authors: Peters
authors: Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Talbot
authors: School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
authors: L R
authors: LR
authors: Johnson
authors: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liege, Belgium.
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Billen
authors: Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Martin
authors: Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
authors: J A
authors: JA
authors: Beatty
authors: Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Belov
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000908:Antibodies, Fungal / Q000097:blood*; D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D001230:Aspergillus / Q000276:immunology*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D002415:Cats; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D007122:Immunoelectrophoresis / Q000662:veterinary; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D000908:Antibodies, Fungal; D007074:Immunoglobulin G
keywords: Aspergillosis; Aspergillus spp; Feline; Sino-nasal; Sino-orbital