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Katrin Hartmann

Publications and source records attributed to Katrin Hartmann.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Use of anti-coronavirus antibody testing of cerebrospinal fluid for diagnosis of feline infectious peritonitis involving the central nervous system in cats.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the use of measuring anti-coronavirus IgG in CSF for the diagnosis of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) involving the CNS in cats. DESIGN: Prospective study. SAMPLE POPULATION: CSF and serum samples from 67 cats. PROCEDURES: CSF and serum samples were allocated into 4 groups: cats with FIP involving the CNS (n = 10), cats with FIP not involving the CNS (13), cats with CNS disorders caused by diseases other than FIP (29), and cats with diseases other than FIP and not involving the CNS (15). Cerebrospinal fluid was evaluated for concentrations of erythrocytes, leukocytes, and total protein. Anti-coronavirus IgG was measured in CSF and serum by indirect immunofluorescence assay. RESULTS: CSF IgG (range of titers, 1:32 to 1:4,096) was detected in 12 cats, including 6 cats with neurologic manifestation of FIP, 4 cats with FIP not involving the CNS, and 2 cats with brain tumors. Cerebrospinal fluid IgG was detected only in cats with correspondingly high serum IgG titers (range, 1:4,096 to 1:16,384) and was positively correlated with serum IgG titers (r = 0.652; P < 0.01), but not with any other CSF parameter. Blood contamination of CSF resulted in < or = 333 erythrocytes/microL in cats with CSF IgG. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The correlation between serum and CSF IgG and the fact that CSF IgG was detected only in strongly seropositive cats suggested that CSF anti-coronavirus IgG was derived from blood. Measurement of anti-coronavirus IgG in CSF was of equivocal clinical use.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2006

Results of an interlaboratory test on antimicrobial susceptibility testing of bacteria from animals by broth microdilution.

A standard operating procedure for the determination of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of antimicrobial agents by the broth microdilution method was developed and evaluated for its fitness for use in an interlaboratory ring trial involving 46 routine diagnostic laboratories. All laboratories tested five strains (one reference strain and four field strains) against a total of 22 different antimicrobial agents. Gram-negative strains were tested against 16 different antimicrobial agents and Gram-positive strains against 14 different antimicrobial agents. Tests were performed once a week for three consecutive weeks. At least 80% of the results determined by 35 of the 46 participating laboratories were within the expected range (mode MIC+/-1 dilution step), with the 18 participating laboratories experienced in MIC determination showing a slightly higher mean percentage of accurate results (89.3% reproducible results) than the 28 non-experienced laboratories (86.7% reproducible results). The most accurate results were obtained for the Escherichia coli field strain, whilst the results for the Streptococcus uberis field strain showed the highest error rate. Among the 22 antimicrobial agents tested, the highest variabilities in the results (mean value for all antimicrobial agents 12.3%) were recorded for ceftiofur (27.8%), penicillin G (20.8%) and cefoperazone (20.6%).

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Feline infectious peritonitis.

The article discusses feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), an important disease frequently seen in veterinary practice. FIP causes many problems to the veterinarian as it can be difficult to definitively diagnose the disease, as there is no effective treatment, and as prophylactic interventions are not very successful. Although intense research has created a lot of new knowledge about this disease in the last years, there are still many unanswered questions. The objective of this article is to review recent knowledge and to increase understanding of the complex pathogenesis of FIP.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Comparison of different tests to diagnose feline infectious peritonitis.

Clinical data from 488 cats (1979-2000) with histopathologically confirmed feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) and 620 comparable controls were evaluated retrospectively to assess the value of several diagnostic tests frequently used in the evaluation of cats with suspected FIP. Diagnostic utility of serum albumin to globulin ratio for the diagnosis of FIP was greater than of the utility of serum total protein and gamma-globulin concentrations. Diagnostic utility of these variables was higher when performed on effusion. On effusion, positive and negative predictive values of Rivalta's test, a test that distinguishes between exudates and transudates (0.86 and 0.97), anti-coronavirus antibody detection (0.90 and 0.79), and immunofluorescence staining of coronavirus antigen in macrophages (1.00 and 0.57) were investigated. The positive and negative predictive values of presence of anti-coronavirus antibodies were 0.44 and 0.90, respectively, antibody concentrations (1:1,600) were 0.94 and 0.88. presence of immune complexes measured by a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were 0.67 and 0.84, and detection of viral RNA by serum reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were 0.90 and 0.47. Effusion RT-PCR was performed in 6 cats; it was positive in all 5 cats with FIP and negative in the cat with another disease. Diagnostic assays on the fluid in cats with body effusion had good predictive values. Definitive diagnosis of FIP on the basis of measurement of various variables in serum was not possible. Serum tests can only be used to facilitate the decision for more invasive diagnostic methods.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Cross-resistance between antimicrobial agents used in veterinary medicine: molecular background and practical consequences for susceptibility testing].

Phenotypic resistance of veterinary pathogens to more than one antimicrobial agent (multi-resistance) may be caused by intrinsic resistance to the antimicrobial agents, acquired cross-resistance, or acquired co-resistance. Known cross-resistances allow to select so-called "representative substances" which are tested and the results of which can also be regarded as being valid for other members of the same class of antimicrobial agents. In general, a limitation in the number of antimicrobial agents to be tested in routine diagnostics is necessary because of capacity and cost efficiency. This is of particular relevance when the broth microdilution method - recommended as the method of choice - with 96-well microtiter plates is used. The knowledge about the relationship between different resistance phenotypes and the corresponding resistance mechanisms is of major value for both, the laboratory personnel and the veterinary practitioner. This review explains how "representative substances" for the most relevant classes of antimicrobial agents used in veterinary medicine are chosen on the basis of known cross-resistances.

Animals↗