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| Author |
Message |
    
Giulia Battimelli (Dubai)
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jun 13, 2001 - 1:21 pm: |   |
Well! I'll try , is the first time for me to propose a forum so...... Anyway I've a Vet. Laboratory and I used to work much more with horses than other species, here in my area (Tuscany) there's a lot of piroplasmosis but the problem for me is to get a good diagnosis, I mean I'm not able to performe the test on my self and I used to send the samples in a Germany laboratory, I used to do an IFAT test, but this year I have had a lot of high titres (1:80) with no symptomps at all!!!! Last week a horse who won easly a listed race two day before resulted positive (1:80) to Babesia equi....You can image the owner and the vet ??( we recheck again with the same result !). Well does any of you know where and wich kind of test is the best to perfome? any have some experience in this sense?
Thank you for your attention !!!! |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM (Dro)
| | Posted on Thursday, Jun 14, 2001 - 5:06 am: | |
Hello Giulia,
The problem with evaluating your question is that different labs run different Indirect Florescent Antibody Tests (IFAT). Of particular importance in the variablility of response is the type and source of the antigen used in the test. Also the person intrepreting the test can have a remarkable affect on the outcome. The result is that test results must be interpreted by using the labs standards. 1:80 is not considered a positive in some IFA tests for B equi and in others it is considered a weak or questionable positive. What does your lab say about this result? If they consider this a strong positive, other possibilities are:
1) These horses are subclinical carriers of the disease. This is common in areas where the disease is endemic.
2) The test is not accurate or has been performed / interpreted incorrectly.
There are many tests for Babesia and the best one to perform depends on your goals. If you are trying to indentify animals that have been exposed and have either recovered or become carriers, the IFA is probably best. If you are trying to diagnose sick animals a combination of CF and IFA may be the best immunological tests. Currently PCR and ELISA tests have been developed which may be even better that the CF or IFA tests.
DrO |
Miss MDT
New Member
Username: Mise
Post Number: 1
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, Nov 11, 2003 - 1:25 pm: | |
I was very interested to have read the reply to Giulia by Robert N. Oglesby about the Piroplasmosis tests, etc.
Last night I have sent serum to a US lab for analysis to be able to import a horse to USA (I have been travelling on horse-back since June 2002 from Argentina and I am currently in Guatemala, Central America).
The blood-samples were taken out on Friday, the 7th of November, the serum kept cold AND frozen all the time and hopefully will still be in the same state (chilled at least) when it arrives at the lab on this coming Wednesday (12 November).. it was sent by DHL yesterday evening from Gautemala.
I have doubts though whether the serum would still be "valid" after 5 days.. I was told it will be fine as long as it was kept cold but can anybody please confirm? Also, if it happens that a horse test postive for Piroplasmosis, is it recommended to do another test straight away or should one wait for a while first? Is it advisable also (for the 2nd time around) to use a different Lab due to the different kinds of criteria and methods used in the analysis ?
|
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 9448
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Wednesday, Nov 12, 2003 - 9:33 am: | |
Antibodies, which are what are measured in the test described above, are very tough and a week cooled/frozen should be fine. As to what your next step should be will depend on the actual result (negative, questionable, strong positive)and what the requirements of entry where you are at are. If you get a questionable result retesting using a more definitive test would be in order but this test must be acceptable to the officials were you are entering.
DrO |
Miss MDT
Member
Username: Mise
Post Number: 2
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, Nov 12, 2003 - 12:30 pm: | |
Thank you for the quick reply Dr.O.
I have decided to have the different tests (Piroplasmosis, EIA, Dourine, Glanders) done before I fly Mise from Guatemala to the US as they will repeat these again once Mise is under quarentine over there and I would not want any surprises. However, if I understand right, a test can be negative now for Piroplasmosis and when it is done again, it could be positive? Is there anything I can do to avoid this?
I read about the two different kinds of Piroplasmosis... if a horse test positive for Babesia Caballi and given antibiotics, does it mean he/she will be completely cured?
Also, I am not exactly sure as to the meaning of "antibodies"... Would you mind to explain to me in simple terms please?
Thank you.
MDT |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 9458
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Thursday, Nov 13, 2003 - 8:00 am: | |
There is no recomendation for prophylactic use of an antibiotic. The prognosis for treatment of the various forms of Babesia are presented clearly in the article associated with this forum.
For medical terms Miss MDT you can use our dictionary at » Equine Diseases » Cardiovascular, Blood, and Immune System » Piroplasmosis In Horses. Antibodies are the protein molecules that our body manufactures to fight infection.
DrO |
Miss MDT
Member
Username: Mise
Post Number: 3
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, Nov 13, 2003 - 11:19 am: | |
Thank you for the advice Dr.O. Things are much clearer to me now.
MDT |
Miss MDT
Member
Username: Mise
Post Number: 4
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, Nov 18, 2003 - 10:26 am: | |
Dear Dr O,
Can you please tell me what a "bacterial" test is? This was apparently used when my horses were tested for bebesia caballi and bebesia equi. Are they different from the IFA/SF tests you mentioned during a previous forum?
Thank you
MDT |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 9492
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Wednesday, Nov 19, 2003 - 6:19 pm: | |
Any test that tests for bacteria could be called a "bacterial" test: it does not refer to a specific test that I am aware of.
DrO |
