Antibody detection tests improve the sensitivity of tuberculosis diagnosis in cattle. (June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Casal, C.; Infantes, J.A.; Risalde, M.A.; Díez-Guerrier, A.; Domínguez, M.; Moreno, I.; Romero, B.; de Juan, L.; Sáez, J.L.; Juste, R.; Gortázar, C.; Domínguez, L.; Bezos, J.
• Is Part Of: Research in veterinary science. Volume 112(2017)
• Page Start: 214
• Page End: 221
• Publication Date: 2017-06
• Subjects: Intradermal tests -- Interferon-γ assay -- Bovine tuberculosis -- Serology; Veterinary medicine -- Periodicals; Veterinary Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine vétérinaire -- Périodiques; Médecine vétérinaire -- Recherche -- Périodiques; Diergeneeskunde; 636.089
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2017.05.012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0034-5288

Abstract

Abstract: We evaluated the sensitivity (Se) of the single cervical intradermal tuberculin (SIT) test, two interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) assays and three different antibody detection techniques for bovine tuberculosis (bTB) diagnosis in 131 mixed beef breed cattle. The results of the diagnostic techniques performed over the whole herd, and over the animals confirmed as infected based on the presence of lesions compatible with the disease and/or M. bovis isolation were compared to determine apparent prevalence (AP) and Se. The Se of the SIT test (severe interpretation) was 63.7% (95% CI, 54.54–72.00), while the Se of the IFN-γ assays ranged between 60.2% and 92%. The proportion of infected cattle detected by the different antibody detection techniques ranged from 65.5% to 87.6%. Three of the antibody detection techniques yielded a significant higher ( p < 0.05) Se than that achieved with the official diagnostic techniques. In addition, the interpretation in parallel of cellular and antibody detection techniques reached the highest Se: 98.2% (95% CI, 93.78–99.51) suggesting that the use of diagnostic techniques detecting both cellular and humoral responses could be considered as an alternative in the control of bTB outbreaks in high prevalence settings. Highlights: Cellular and humoral-based diagnostic tests were used in parallel for diagnosis of tuberculosis. The sensitivity reported using serology was higher in cattle showing TB lesions which are more likely to spread M. bovis . A higher sensitivity of serology than that reported with the official diagnostic tests was described for the first time. Results obtained suggest that serology can be included as ancillary tool for diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis.