Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Testing of Cerebrospinal Fluid for Diagnosis of Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis.
From: Animal Population Health Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1681, USA.
American journal of veterinary research
- Publish Date: May 2006
- ISSN: 0002-9645
- Volume: 67
- Issue: 5
- Pages: 869-76
- Medium: Print
- Language: English
- Citation (JAMA): Duarte Paulo C, Ebel Eric D, Traub-Dargatz Josie, et al. Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Testing of Cerebrospinal Fluid for Diagnosis of Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis.. Am. J. Vet. Res. May 2006;67:869-76
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess the use of CSF testing with an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) for diagnosis of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) caused by Sarcocystis neurona. SAMPLE POPULATION: Test results of 428 serum and 355 CSF samples from 182 naturally exposed, experimentally infected, or vaccinated horses. PROCEDURE: EPM was diagnosed on the basis of histologic examination of the CNS. Probability distributions were fitted to serum IFAT results in the EPM+ and EPM-horses, and correlation between serum and CSF results was modeled. Pairs of serum-CSF titers were generated by simulation, and titer-specific likelihood ratios and post-test probabilities of EPM at various pretest probability values were estimated. Post-test probabilities were compared for use of a serum-CSF test combination, a serum test only, and a CSF test only. RESULTS: Post-test probabilities of EPM increased as IFAT serum and CSF titers increased. Post-test probability differences for use of a serum-CSF combination and a serum test only were < or = 19% in 95% of simulations. The largest increases occurred when serum titers were from 40 to 160 and pre-test probabilities were from 5% to 60%. In all simulations, the difference between pre- and post-test probabilities was greater for a CSF test only, compared with a serum test only. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: CSF testing after a serum test has limited usefulness in the diagnosis of EPM. A CSF test alone might be used when CSF is required for other procedures. Ruling out other causes of neurologic disease reduces the necessity of additional EPM testing.
Mesh Headings (Keywords): Animals, Antibodies, Protozoan, Central Nervous System Protozoal Infections, Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect, Horse Diseases, Horses, Sarcocystosis
Check for Full Text / PubMed Unique Identifier (PMID): 16649923
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