Biotin-avidin amplified ELISA for detection of antibodies to Sarcoptes scabiei in chamois (Rupicapra spp.)

Abstract

-Scabies is a major threat to the well being of mountain-dwelling Bovid hosts, Rupicapra rupicapra and Rupicapra pyrenaica. Severe outbreaks are in progress over a significant part of their distribution area and resource managers demand improved methods to monitor, analyse and possibly forecast the spread and effects of scabies at the population level. An amplified capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was developed to detect antibodies to Sarcoptes scabiei in chamois (Rupicapra spp.) serum. The method used the biotin-avidin amplification system and was validated on a panel of 144 serum samples, of which 40 were obtained from scabietic and 104 from healthy unexposed individuals originating from a scabies-free area. The antigen, a whole body extract of the various developmental stages of S. scabiei, was prepared from mites actively leaving the skin lesions of naturally infested red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). The resulting LAB-ELISA was characterised by 93% sensitivity, 97% specificity and a high degree of repeatibility. A single seroreactor was found amongst 32 chamois affected with skin pathologies other than scabies, including infestations by other Acarina (Trombicula spp. and Ixodid ticks). Antibodies to S. scabiei were present in 26 out of 169 sera (15.4%) obtained by clinically healthy chamois within a scabies outbreak area, indicating that asymptomatic infestations by S. scabiei can be revealed by serological methods in the studied Caprinae hosts.Sarcoptes / chamois / ELISA / avidin-biotin

Identification and heterologous expression of aSarcoptes scabieicDNA encoding a structural antigen with immunodiagnostic potential

“…serum [31]. This assay, the first one designed for the detection of S. scabiei in a freeranging ruminant host, used a whole body extract of the various developmental stages of S. scabiei as antigen, obtained from skin lesions of naturally infected red foxes (Vulpes vulpes).…”

“…It has been reported that more than 50% of skin scrapes can be negative in canine scabies infections [24]. In recent years, many enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), based on crude mite extracts have been developed for several host species [6,7,13,31,36]. S. scabiei is the source of multiple antigenic molecules [1][2][3] and the varieties of S. scabiei from different animals introduce both cross-reactive and variety specific antigens into the host [5,13].…”

Three-dimensional immunofluorescent double labelling using polyclonal antibodies derived from the same species: enterocytic colocalization of chylomicrons with Golgi apparatus

“…Biotin-avidin binding is commonly used in immunohistological staining of singular proteins and in biochemical assays such as for enzyme-linked-immuno-absorption (Rambozzi et al 2004). However, biotin-avidin has not been assessed in the context of utilizing ampliWcation of one protein to avoid cross-reactivity with alternate antigenantibody complexes.…”

Sarcoptic mange of gazelle (Gazella subguttarosa) and its medical importance in Iran

“…Severe outbreaks are in progress over a significant part of their distribution areas, and resource managers demand improved methods to monitor, analyze, and possibly forecast the spread and effects of sarcoptic mange at the population level (Rambozzi et al 2004). Unfortunately, we could not determine the source of exposure in this case, but it seems that the close contact of the gazelles with domesticated animals or rodents could be the main source of exposure.…”