A field survey on parasites and antibodies against selected pathogens in owned dogs in Lilongwe, Malawi.

The aim of this study was to screen for selected parasites and antibody levels against vectorborne pathogens in owned dogs in Lilongwe, Malawi. The study population consisted of 100 dogs; 80 participating in vaccination-spaying campaigns and 20 visiting a veterinary clinic as paying clients. All dogs went through a general physical examination including visual examination for signs of ectoparasites.

Is there a clinical need for a diagnostic test allowing detection of chain type-specific anti-A and anti-B?

Background: Hemagglutination for detection and semiquantification of ABO antibodies is associated with large center-to-center variations and poor reproducibility. Because acceptance for transplantation and diagnosis of rejection in ABO-incompatible transplantation rely on the levels and specificity of ABO antibodies, reproducible tests that allow their detection and specificity determination are required.

Study Design And Methods: The level of chain type-specific anti-A and anti-B were analyzed in the sera of 44 healthy individuals of known ABO blood group using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with polyacrylamide (PAA) conjugates of blood group A and B trisaccharides or Type 2 chain A and B tetrasaccharides.