Evaluation of three enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for sarcoptic mange diagnosis and assessment in the Iberian ibex, Capra pyrenaica

Abstract

BackgroundSarcoptic mange is a contagious skin disease caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei, affecting different mammalian species worldwide including the Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica), in which mortalities over 90 % of the population have been reported. No efficient diagnostic methods are available for this disease, particularly when there are low mite numbers and mild or no clinical signs. In this study, three enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) developed for dog (ELISA A), Cantabrian chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica parva) (ELISA B) and Alpine chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) (ELISA C), were evaluated to detect specific antibodies (IgG) to sarcoptic mange in Iberian ibex sera.MethodsSerum samples from 131 Iberian ibexes (86 healthy and 45 scabietic) were collected from 2005 to 2012 in the Sierra Nevada Natural and National Parks (southern Spain). Based on visual inspection, ibexes were classified into one of three categories, namely healthy (without scabietic compatible lesions), mildly affected (skin lesions over less than 50 % of the body surface) and severely affected (skin lesions over more than 50 % of the body surface). The optimal cut-off point, specificity, sensitivity and the area under the curve (AUC) were calculated, and the agreement between tests was determined. Moreover, differences in the optical density (OD) related to scabies severity have been evaluated for the best test.ResultsELISA C showed better performance than the two other tests, reaching higher values of sensitivity (93.0 %) and specificity (93.5 %) against the visual estimation of the percentage of affected skin, chosen as the gold standard. Significantly higher concentrations of specific antibodies were observed with this test in the mildly and severely infested ibexes than in healthy ones.ConclusionsOur results revealed that ELISA C was an optimal test to diagnose sarcoptic mange in the Iberian ibex. Further studies characterizing immune response during the course of the disease, including spontaneous or drug induced recovery, should follow in order to better understand sarcoptic mange in Iberian ibex populations.

Histopathology, microbiology and the inflammatory process associated with Sarcoptes scabiei infection in the Iberian ibex, Capra pyrenaica

“…Thirty nine Iberian ibex ( C. p. hispanica ) (22 males and 17 females; 1–11 years of age) were captured, 33 in the Sierra Nevada Natural Space (SNNS) (36°55′ to 37°10′N, 2°56′ to 3°38′W), and 6 in the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park (SCSVNP) (37°53′ to 37°88′N, 2°53′ to 2°88′W). Initial IgG levels against S. scabiei were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) developed for alpine chamois ( Rupicapra rupicapra ) in order to exclude ibex that had previously been in contact with the disease [ 18 ]. Captured ibex were transferred to experimental facilities located in southern Spain (Las Mimbres, Sierra de Huétor Natural Park, 37°18′ to 37°30′N, 3°28′ to 3°47′W).…”

A review of sarcoptic mange in North American wildlife

“…An enzyme-linked immunosorbent serologic assay (ELISA) has been developed for use in dogs and pigs for the detection of antibodies against S. scabiei . This and similar assays have been evaluated in many other wild and domestic animal taxa with variable results (e.g., Bornstein and Zakrisson, 1993a; Bornstein et al, 1996; Bornstein et al, 2006; Haas et al, 2015; Fuchs et al, 2016; Raez-Bravo et al, 2016; Peltier et al, 2018). More recent techniques reported to diagnose sarcoptic mange in wildlife include a dot-ELISA for use in rabbits and has shown to be a simple, quick, and convenient way to accurately diagnose the disease (Zhang et al, 2013).…”

A review of Sarcoptes scabiei: past, present and future

“… 73 81 [ 131 ] suis Aq Ext pig 1 HRP-Rb × Pig? 71 77 [ 131 ] suis pig 89 [ 97 ] suis PBS Hmgt pig HRP-Rb x Pig IgG 100 100 [ 132 ] suis wild boar 75 80 [ 133 ] suis ibex BT-rProtein G HRP-avidin 93 94 [ 128 ] vulpes Aq Ext red fox 2 Mu x Dog IgG HRP-Rb × Mu Ig 95 ~100 [ 103 ] vulpes Aq Ext red fox Mu x Dog IgG HRP-Rb × Mu Ig 95 83 [ 134 ] vulpes Aq Ext red fox 2 Mu x Dog IgG HRP-Rb × Mu Ig 95–100 [ 135 ] vulpes Aq Ext wolf Mu x Dog IgG HRP-Rb × Mu Ig [ 136 ] vulpes dog AP-Go × Dog IgG 84 ...…”