Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of immunohistochemistry for the detection of rabies virus in domestic and wild animals in South Africa

Author:

Claassen Drienie D.1ORCID,Odendaal Lieza1ORCID,Sabeta Claude T.2ORCID,Fosgate Geoffrey T.3ORCID,Mohale Debrah K.4,Williams June H.1,Clift Sarah J.1ORCID

Affiliation:

1. Departments of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa

2. Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa

3. Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa

4. Agricultural Research Council–Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Onderstepoort, Gauteng, South Africa

Abstract

We estimated the diagnostic sensitivity (DSe) and specificity (DSp) of an immunohistochemistry (IHC) protocol compared to the direct fluorescent antibody test (DFAT), which is the gold standard test for rabies diagnosis. We obtained brain samples from 199 domestic and wild animal cases (100 DFAT-negative, 99 DFAT-positive), by convenience sampling from 2 government-accredited rabies virus (RABV) testing laboratories in South Africa, between February 2015 and August 2017. Tissues that had been stored at 4–8°C for several days to weeks at the 2 accredited laboratories were formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded. Nighty-eight cases tested IHC-positive using a polyclonal anti-RABV nucleoprotein antibody and a polymer detection system. The overall DSe and DSp for the RABV IHC test were 98% (95% CI: 93–100%) and 99% (95% CI: 95–100%), respectively. Domestic dogs accounted for 41 of 98 RABV IHC–positive cases, with the remainder in 4 domestic cats, 25 livestock, and 28 wildlife. Herpestidae species, including 7 meerkats and 9 other mongoose species, were the most frequently infected wild carnivores, followed by 11 jackals. Three cases in domestic dogs had discordant test results; 2 cases were IHC–/DFAT+ and 1 case was IHC+/DFAT–. Considering the implications of a false-negative rabies diagnosis, participating in regular inter-laboratory comparisons is vital, and a secondary or confirmatory method, such as IHC, should be performed on all submitted specimens, particularly negative cases with human contact history.

Funder

The Free State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the South African Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Subject

General Veterinary

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