Prevalence of antibodies against Simkania negevensis in sera of adult patients with respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms, in Italy

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the IgG and IgA seroprevalence to Simkania negevensis in adult patients with respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms, by the microimmunofluorescence test (MIF). Serum samples were obtained fron 326 patients admitted to S. Orsola Hospital (Bologna, Italy) and collected a 24 month period in 2008-2010 for diagnostic investigations. As controls, 104 sera from blood donors were used. In subjects with gastrointestinal symptoms, we detected a S. negevensis IgG (68%) and IgA (18%) seroprevalence significantly higher than in the healthy controls. More extensive studies are needed to confirm the possible association of S. negevensis with gastrointestinal infections and its pathogen role.