Comparative study of serological tests for the diagnosis of equine aspergillosis

Aspergillosis involving the frontal sinus in a horse

“…Immunoblot analysis failed to demonstrate reactivity against specific low molecular mass antigens of Aspergillus spp. However, immunoblot was demonstrated as the most relevant test in guttural pouch mycosis as well as in cases of pulmonary and gastric aspergillosis (Guillot et al 1999). The lesion localisation in an isolated and not very irrigated region might explain negative serological results in the present case.…”

Comparison of the value of measurement of serum galactomannan and Aspergillus-specific antibodies in the diagnosis of canine sino-nasal aspergillosis

“…This was expected as dogs are frequently exposed to ubiquitous Aspergillus antigens and may mount an immune response to this fungus without contracting the clinical disease (Day and Penhale, 1988). Similarly, serum Aspergillusspecific antibodies have been detected in healthy horses and cows (Guillot et al, 1999; A c c e p t e d M a n u s c r i p t and Latge, 1995). When positive reactions occur in serological assays using complex preparations of fungal antigens, the assay may be detecting normal baseline antibody as opposed to an induced humoral immune response to Aspergillus spp..…”

“…When positive reactions occur in serological assays using complex preparations of fungal antigens, the assay may be detecting normal baseline antibody as opposed to an induced humoral immune response to Aspergillus spp.. This seems to be the case in horses where no differentiation could be made between healthy and Aspergillusinfected horses based on Aspergillus-specific IgG concentrations (Guillot et al, 1999). As the majority of dogs with SNA had higher concentrations of Aspergillus-specific IgG antibodies than dogs with non-fungal nasal disease and CTRL dogs, Aspergillus-infected dogs could be differentiated readily from dogs that may have been exposed to the fungus from environmental sources.…”

The current status of avian aspergillosis diagnoses: Veterinary practice to novel research avenues

“…Despite the potential for an Aspergillus ‐specific diagnosis, it seems that anti‐ Aspergillus antibody quantification may not be useful due to the high background in healthy individuals, which could be caused by the ubiquitous dispersal of Aspergillus in the environment, and hence repeated exposure of birds. Anti‐ Aspergillus antibody detection in dogs, cats, horses, and cattle is also difficult, where healthy controls show positivity, although titers might be higher in infected animals. Overall, the environmental presence of Aspergillus makes antibody detection tests unreliable and must be interpreted with care and in the context of other diagnostic results.…”