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Year 2000 - Volume 20, Number 4
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A conglutination test for rapid detection of antibodies against Babesia bigemina, 20(4):161-166
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ABSTRACT.- Madruga C.R., Kessler R.H., Schenk M.A.M. & Miguita M. 2000. A conglutination test for a rapid detection of antibodies against Babesia bigemina. [Teste de conglutinação rápida para detecção de anticorpos contra Babesia bigemina.] Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 20(4):161-166. Embrapa Gado de Corte, Rodovia BR 262, Km 4, Cx. Postal 154, Campo Grande, MS 79002-970, Brazil.
A rapid conglutination test (RCT) with performance comparable to the indirect fluorescent antibody technique (IFAT) was developed to detect antibodies against Babesia bigemina (B. bigemina-RCT). The B. bigemina-RCT is a sensitive, specific, economical, and rapidly performed serological test suitable for field application or minimally equipped laboratories. This test had a sensitivity of 90.9%, and specificity of 97.6%, compared to IFAT, which showed for the sarne parameters respectively, 98.3% and 99.7%. The early detection of anti- B. bigemina immunoglobulins by RCT in experimental infections was nearly parallel to that of IFAT. Cross reactions were observed with sera from calves experimentally infected with Babesia bovis (1.8%) and with Anaplasma marginale (1.2%). RCT antigen prepared with non parasitized erythrocytes (negative antigen) showed 1.5%, 3.5% and 2.2% of positive reactions with sera from animals experimentally infected with B. bigemina, B. bovis and A. marginale. However, none of the sera from animals of endemic areas for babesia infection resulted in positive reactions with the negative antigen. Considering these results and shelf life over six months, the B. bigemina-RCT could be used for epidemiological surveys and evaluation of control measures against this species of Babesia. |
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