The value of systematic screening for Trichinella antibodies among individuals with eosinophilia in recognizing outbreak events: a seroprevalence study from Croatia

Annals of Parasitology
M SvibenLjiljana Čičmak Smirnjak

Abstract

Although trichinellosis represents one of the most significant global foodborne zoonotic diseases, human seroprevalence studies are scarce. Due to its endemicity in Croatia, the aims of this study were to establish the general prevalence of Trichinella infection in Croatian individuals presenting with eosinophilia during a 5-year period, and to assess the value of such screening endeavours for early detection/differentiation of outbreaks. A total of 1342 serum samples were collected from male and female subjects presenting with peripheral blood eosinophilia between 2013 and 2017, and tested for Trichinella IgG antibodies by employing commercial qualitative ELISA and Trichinella Excreted/Secreted (E/S) Western blot methods. The overall positivity was 3.65%, ranging from 0.49% to 1.50% between 2013 and 2016, but rising to 10.98% in 2017; such ten-fold increase in seroprevalence forecasted the epidemic situation in Croatia. Overall the prevalence of the infection rose with the increasing age and the rate was highest among those older than 40 years of age (p=0.003), without any significant sex-based differences (p=0.438). Considering the early appearance of eosinophilia in the infected individuals, this type of systematic screening...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.