Besnoitia besnoiti, an apicomplexan parasite causes economically important disease in cattle in many countries of Africa and Asia is re-emerging in Europe. Serological identification of infected cattle is important because introduction of these animals into naive herds seems to play a major role in the transmission of the parasite. We report new, simplified immunoblot-based serological tests for the detection of B. besnoiti-specific antibodies. Antigens were used under non-reducing conditions in the immunoblots, because reduction of the antigen with beta-mercaptoethanol diminished the antigenicity in both, tachyzoites and bradyzoites. Ten B. besnoiti tachyzoite and ten bradyzoite antigens of 15-45 kDa molecular weight were recognized by B. besnoiti infected cattle, but not or only weakly detected by cattle infected with related protozoan parasites, Neospora caninum, Toxoplasma gondii, Sarcocystis cruzi, Sarcocystis hominis, or Sarcocystis hirsuta. The sensitivity and specificity of B. besnoiti immunoblots were determined with sera from 62 German cattle with clinically confirmed besnoitiosis and 404 sera from unexposed German cattle including 214 sera from animals with a N. caninum-specific antibody response. Using a new scoring system, the highest specificity (100%) and sensitivity (90%) of the immunoblots were observed when reactivity to at least four of the ten selected tachyzoite or bradyzoite antigens was considered as positive. When a cut-off based on this scoring system was applied to both the tachyzoite- and the bradyzoite-based immunoblots, there was an almost perfect agreement with the indirect fluorescent antibody test with a titre of 200 as the positive cut-off. We identified and partially characterized 10 tachyzoite and 10 bradyzoite B. besnoiti antigens which may help to develop new specific and sensitive serological tests based on individual antigens and in the identification of possible vaccine candidates.

Background Allergen‐specific immunotherapy (ASIT) is the only causative treatment of canine atopic dermatitis (cAD). Different routes for administration of ASIT have been used; however, comparative studies are lacking. Hypothesis/Objectives The present study compared the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous (SCIT), intralymphatic (ILIT) and sublingual (SLIT) immunotherapy. Animals 30 atopic dogs were included and allocation to three groups (SCIT, n = 8; ILIT, n = 12; SLIT, n = 10) was determined by the owners. Methods and materials ASIT was administered using routine protocols. The pruritus Visual Analog Scale (PVAS), canine atopic dermatitis extent and severity index (CADESI), concurrent medications and adverse events were recorded initially and one, three, six and 12 months later. The main outcome measure was return to a normal status, which included CADESI <12, PVAS <2.5 and medication score <10. Results Drop‐outs were distributed evenly and 23 dogs finished the study (SCIT, n = 6; ILIT, n = 10; SLIT, n = 7). Adverse reactions to treatment were rare. At the start of the study, the three groups were homogeneous with respect to clinical signs and concurrent medications. After 12 months of ASIT, the CADESI and PVAS had decreased with a stable medication score in the ILIT and SCIT groups (P < 0.05), while all three scores had increased in the SLIT group. Return to normal state was achieved in one of six (17%) dogs receiving SCIT, in six of 10 (60%) dogs receiving ILIT and in one of seven (14%) dogs receiving SLIT. Conclusions and clinical importance These findings suggest that SCIT and ILIT improved clinical signs of cAD, whereas ILIT had a much higher return to normal rate.

No abstract

No abstract

These data suggest that recombinant Der f2 allergens may be as effective and show benefit faster than traditional allergen immunotherapy in European dogs sensitized to Df.