[Antigenuria in plague-infected great gerbils]

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Microbiology
• Immunology

Background:

• Plague, caused by Yersinia pestis, poses a significant zoonotic threat.
• Effective epizootiological surveillance is crucial for controlling plague outbreaks in wildlife populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the utility of detecting Yersinia pestis capsular antigen in urine for plague surveillance in great gerbils.
• To compare the effectiveness of antigen detection in urine versus traditional bacteriological isolation for Yersinia pestis.

Main Methods:

• Diagnostic preparations, including commercial and monoclonal antibody-based assays, were used to detect Yersinia pestis capsular antigen in urine samples from infected great gerbils.
• Urine samples were collected over a prolonged period post-infection.
• Antibody levels in blood and animal survival times were also monitored.

Main Results:

• Yersinia pestis capsular antigen was frequently detected in the urine of infected great gerbils over an extended period.
• The presence and duration of antigenuria correlated with animal survival time and antibody levels.
• Antigenuria was observed in a significantly higher number of animals compared to those from which Yersinia pestis was bacteriological isolated, particularly in later stages of infection.

Conclusions:

• Urine antigen detection is a more sensitive method for identifying Yersinia pestis infection in great gerbils than traditional bacteriological analysis.
• Examining urine from live animals in natural foci is a more effective epizootiological survey strategy for plague.
• This approach enhances the ability to monitor plague dynamics in wildlife populations.