Differential antibody responses to Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis in sheep with naturally acquired caseous lymphadenitis

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) with Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis cell wall and bacteria-free supernatant with exotoxin preparations as antigens, and hemolysis inhibition tests were used to detect antibodies in the sera of adult range sheep with naturally acquired caseous lymphadenitis (CL). The extent and severity of lesions were quantitated on the basis of a lesion score, derived from an examination of the carcass (peripheral lymphoid tissue) and viscera (including internal lymphoid tissue) at the time of slaughter. The overall prevalence of C pseudotuberculosis-positive CL lesions in 104 sheep was 31.7%. The cell wall ELISA detected antibodies in 96.9% (32/33) of sheep with C pseudotuberculosis-positive CL lesions. The exotoxin ELISA detected antibodies in 84.8% (28/33) of positive sheep in the same group. Both ELISA resulted in a high number of apparent false-positives, with 64.7% and 49.2%, respectively, positive optical density (OD) values in sheep with no gross CL lesions and no apparent C pseudotuberculosis infection. There was no significant relationship between the extent of lesion development (lesion score) and OD values in both cell wall (r = 0.472) and exotoxin (r = 0.464) ELISA. Similarly, there was no significant relationship between the titer of antitoxin antibodies, as measured by the hemolysis inhibition test, and the extent of disease. These investigations indicate that those ELISA that use crude C pseudotuberculosis antigens are of questionable utility in the field, where C pseudotuberculosis infection is endemic in many sheep populations. Furthermore, these studies suggest that antibodies that are reactive with components of C pseudotuberculosis and that develop in response to infection may have little impact on the recovery of the host.     

Development and validation of an ELISA to detect antibodies to Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis in ovine sera

Several enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) have been developed for the detection of antibodies to Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, the causative agent of caseous lymphadenitis (CLA). However, none are commercially available in the UK. It was therefore necessary to develop a new, economic ELISA for use in a research project studying the epidemiology of CLA in UK sheep. The ELISA with its diagnostic qualities is presented. The ELISA was developed using sonicated C. pseudotuberculosis and optimised to detect total antibody or IgG class antibody in serum. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were obtained and the area under the ROC curve was used to compare the sensitivity and specificity of the two ELISAs. Both versions of the ELISA were evaluated on a panel of 150 positive reference sera and 103 negative reference sera. Using the test at 100% specificity, the sensitivity of detection of total antibody was 71% (95% confidence interval 63-78%), and the sensitivity of detection of IgG antibody to C. pseudotuberculosis was 83% (76-89%), which compares favourably with other reported ELISA tests for CLA in sheep. The sensitivity of the IgG antibody assay may be higher because of the greater affinity of IgG class antibodies compared with the IgM antibodies also detected by the total antibody ELISA. The results of ROC analysis indicated that the IgG isotype ELISA was more accurate than the total antibody ELISA. The efficiency of the test was greatest when serum samples were run in a dilution series than when any single serum dilution was used. The ELISA is considered to be suitable for application in field studies of CLA in UK sheep.     

The effects of caseous lymphadenitis on wool production and bodyweight in young sheep

Two hundred Merino wether hoggets were used to examine the effect of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection (caseous lymphadenitis) on wool production and bodyweight. Sheep which were challenged with C. pseudotuberculosis (artificially infected) and not vaccinated against this disease produced 0.20 kg less clean wool than unchallenged controls during the following 12 months. The incidence of sheep with lesions in the group that was vaccinated prior to challenge was 55% lower than in unvaccinated challenged sheep but their wool production was not significantly different from either the controls or the unvaccinated challenged sheep. Vaccinated sheep were also heavier than unvaccinated sheep 12 months after challenge. These results indicate that caseous lymphadenitis infection may reduce wool production.     

Evaluation of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection in sheep

Two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to measure antibody to the cell wall antigen (C-ELISA) and toxin antigen (T-ELISA) of C. pseudotuberculosis were evaluated on serum from 6 separate groups of sheep. For sheep naturally infected with C. pseudotuberculosis the sensitivity and specificity of the C-ELISA was 76% and 73% respectively and for the T-ELISA 67% and 77% respectively. For sheep slaughtered one year after artificial infection the sensitivity of both tests was greater than or equal to 83% and the specificity greater than or equal to 72%. For sheep slaughtered 4 months after artificial infection the specificity of both tests was less than 30% while the mean sensitivity was 85%. The C-ELISA in conjunction with the T-ELISA detected 92% of sheep with lung lesions.     

Double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblot analysis used for control of caseous lymphadenitis in goats and sheep.

A double-antibody sandwich ELISA for detection of antibodies directed against the exotoxin of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, the cause of caseous lymphadenitis (CL) in small ruminants, was developed. A concentrated exotoxin was used. For interpretation of ELISA results, these sera were tested: sequentially obtained sera of C pseudotuberculosis-inoculated goats and sheep that were monitored for 68 weeks; sequentially obtained sera from 80 goats of 3 flocks with CL; sera from 652 goats of 7 flocks without CL; sera from 160 sheep of 4 flocks without CL; and 2,265 caprine and 208 ovine sera submitted for diagnostic testing. Data regarding the infection status and history of 10,454 of the 23,302 animals were collected after testing; most of these were goats that had been part of a CL control program. Specificity and sensitivity of the ELISA were nearly 100%. Subsequently, 31,978 animals from which no data on infection status of flocks had been collected were then tested. It was concluded that the ELISA is a useful diagnostic test for CL eradication programs. Sera with doubtful or inconclusive ELISA results were examined by use of immunoblot analysis. Proteins from C pseudotuberculosis culture supernatant were separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and blotted onto nitrocellulose. Six proteins with molecular mass of 68, 65, 39, 38, 31, and 29 kDa reacted with sera from goats and sheep with experimentally induced or naturally acquired infection. Immunoblot analysis was valuable in classifying sera with doubtful or inconclusive results by ELISA.     

A comparison of four serological tests for the diagnosis of caseous lymphadenitis in sheep and goats

A double antibody sandwich ELISA (ELISA A) developed for the detection of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection in sheep and goats was modified to improve its sensitivity. To establish the sensitivity and specificity of this modified ELISA (ELISA B), sera from 183 sheep and 186 goats were tested using ELISAs A and B. Comparison was also made with two further ELISAs (C and D) developed in Australia that, respectively, detect antibodies to cell wall antigens or toxin.ELISA B had the best performance of the four tests. Its specificity was 98+/-1% for goats and 99+/-1% sheep. Its sensitivity was 94+/-3% for goats and 79+/-5% for sheep. ELISA B will now be tested for use in caseous lymphadenitis eradication and control programmes in The Netherlands. It will also be used in experimental studies of CL in Scotland.     

The use of a microagglutination assay for the detection of antibodies to Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis in naturally infected sheep and goat flocks

Two goat flocks comprising 326 animals and four sheep flocks comprising 343 animals, all with a previously recognized problem of abscesses due to Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, were examined for the presence of abscesses and antibody titers to C. pseudotuberculosis as detected by direct microagglutination assay. In sheep there was a strong positive relationship between age and titer (p less than 0.0001). However, the relationship in goats between age and titer could not be determined due to a strong interaction between flock and age. When the relationship between abscesses and titer was examined, it was found that goats with abscesses had higher titers than those that did not (p less than 0.05), whereas there was no difference in titer between sheep with abscesses and those without (p = 0.5753). The sensitivity of the microagglutination test was poor to good for both species (52.3% for goats and 89.7% for sheep). The specificity of the test was fair to poor (64.9% for goats and 21.7% for sheep). Given a disease prevalence of 13.5% for goats and 8.5% for sheep the predictive value of the positive test was very poor (18.9% for goats and 9.6% for sheep) but the predictive value of the negative test was good to excellent (89.7% for goats and 95.8% for sheep). The poor specificity of the test and therefore the positive predictive value may be due in part to the criterion of classification of presence of disease, i.e. presence of an abscess at the time of sampling.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Seroprevalence of Q fever (coxiellosis) in sheep from the Southern Marmara Region, Turkey

Little information is available in Turkey on Q fever, a zoonose caused by Coxiella burnetii and transmitted from domestic ruminants. This study aimed at investigating the seroprevalence in sheep flocks from three provinces (Bursa, Balikesir and Canakkale). Serosurvey was undertaken on 42 flocks, which were categorised by sizes. Sera were collected randomly from specific age groups within the young population. CHEKIT Q-fever ELISA kit was used to identify the infection in sheep. The results showed that 20% (n=151) of sheep were seropositive. A total of 34 flocks (81%) revealed at least one seropositive animal. Higher seroprevalence was observed in Balikesir region. Larger flocks resulted more infected than medium and small flocks. An association was found between seropositivity and age, when the primiparous ewes (1-year old) had higher antibodies rates than newborn sheep (aged less than 10 months) or biparous ewes (2 years old). These results showed that Q fever infection was common and circulating in the studied region, hence encourage efforts to propose measures that could reduce the spread and the zoonotic risk.     

2017—2019年广西玉林市牛羊口蹄疫和小反刍兽疫血清抗体检测

为了解广西玉林市牛羊口蹄疫(FMD)和小反刍兽疫(PPR)免疫情况,2017—2019年采用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA),对从玉林市7个县(市、区)234个种畜场、规模养殖场和散养户采集2244份羊血清和922份牛血清样本进行O型、A型和亚洲I型FMD以及PPR免疫抗体检测,并比较不同年份、不同地区的免疫抗体水平。结果显示:2017—2019年,玉林市牛羊O型FMD抗体场群及个体合格率基本保持在70%以上,但部分地区的抗体合格率较低(P<0.05);亚洲I型FMD抗体合格率2017年偏低,但2018年后直线上升至80%以上;A型FMD抗体合格率普遍较低,均不足70%。PPR免疫合格率逐年增长,均保持在70%以上,且无显著地区差异(P>0.05)。结果表明,广西玉林市牛羊O型、亚洲I型FMD和羊PPR的整体免疫效果较好,但A型FMD免疫效果较差,且FMD免疫效果存在一定的地区不均衡性。因此,玉林市应根据各地区实际情况,持续加强FMD、PPR免疫和监测,确保各地区牛羊处于较高的免疫保护水平。本调查为玉林市有效防控此类疫病提供了技术支持。     

Seroprevalence of maedi-visna and border disease in Switzerland

3866 sheep from 226 flocks of breeding associations and 1218 sheep from 15 independent sheep owners were tested for the presence of serum antibodies against Maedi-Visna and Border Disease viruses. The flocks were randomly selected based on the relative proportion and the geographical distribution of the 4 predominant Swiss sheep breeds (Braunk?pfiges Fleischschaf, Schwarzbraunes Berg- und Juraschaf, Walliser Schwarznasenschaf, Weisses Alpenschaf). Additionally two smaller breeds were included in the study (Charollais Suisse, Milchschafe). Sera of all sheep older than 1 year were collected together with data characterizing host and management factors. The sera were tested using established ELISAs for detection of antibodies to Maedi-Visna and Bovine Virus Diarrhea/Border Disease viruses. ELISA results of Maedi-Visna serology were confirmed by immunoblotting. 9% of the sheep of breeding associations were antibody-positive for Maedi-Visna virus. The results of the different breeds varied between 0.4% and 36%. A multiple logistic regression procedure identified breed, age, airing in barns, herd size, pasturing on alps and way of keeping the animals during winter as associated factors with individual serostatus. The prevalence of antibodies to Border Disease was 20% in sheep of breeding associations and 65% in those of independent sheep owners.     

Age variations in the prevalence of sarcocystosis in sheep and goats from northern and central Jordan

Awassi sheep and mountain goats slaughtered in northern and central Jordan were examined for Sarcocystis cysts by post-mortem examination, trichinoscopy of muscle samples taken from esophagi and diaphragms and serologically by indirect hemagglutination (IHA) during the period June 1986–May 1988. Macrosarcocysts were found in 11.3% (70/620) of sheep and 11.7% (46/393) of goats aged over 1 year old. Microsarcocysts were found in 50.1% (1185/2693) of the sheep diaphragm samples and 56.4% (711/1261) of the same organs of goats. The prevalences were lower in the esophageal muscles (26.4%, 348 of 1319 and 25.1%, 97 of 386) than the diaphragmal muscles (29.0%, 383 of 1319 and 34.2%, 132 of 386) in the younger age groups (less than 7 months) of sheep and goats, respectively. The prevalences in both the esophagus and the diaphragm increased with age. The seroprevalences of anti-Sarcocystis antibodies in sheep and goats were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the prevalence of Sarcocystis cysts detected by trichinoscopy. The seroprevalence of sarcocystosis increased with age in sheep and goats.     

2016—2018年广西玉林市和百色市主要家畜疫病定点监测

为了解广西地区口蹄疫(FMD)、猪瘟(CSF)、猪繁殖与呼吸综合征(PRRS)、猪伪狂犬病(PR)、布鲁氏菌病和小反刍兽疫(PPR)等重大动物疫病的免疫动态、疫情流行风险,按照国家动物疫病定点监测实施方案相关要求,2016—2018年运用ELISA和实时荧光定量PCR方法,对玉林市和百色市20个定点监测场点的猪、牛、羊开展病原学监测和抗体监测。病原监测结果显示:2016—2018年,未在牛羊群中检出FMD、PPR病原;2016年和2017年CSF病原检出率均为0.38%;3年内均有PRRS病原检出,检出率介于1.89%~6.32%。抗体检测结果显示:2016—2018年,猪O型FMD、CSF、PRRS和PR-gB抗体阳性率均在70%以上,A型FMD抗体阳性率逐年上升,NSP抗体和PR-gE抗体阳性率呈波动状变化;牛O型FMD抗体阳性率分别为94.78%、18.26%、71.11%,亚洲I型分别为76.52%、25.22%、27.78%,NSP抗体阳性率在22.61%~41.74%之间波动;仅2016年检出1份牛布鲁氏菌抗体阳性;3年间,羊O型、亚洲I型FMD和PPR免疫抗体阳性率都很低,未达到70%,且呈下降趋势,NSP抗体阳性率在0.95%~7.62%之间波动,未检出羊布鲁氏菌抗体。结果表明,广西玉林市和百色市的猪群O型FMD、CSF、PRRS、PR免疫效果较好,但牛羊群FMD和PPR免疫效果较差,猪群中仍有CSF、PRRS、PR等疫病流行,牛羊群中存在FMD流行的风险,但牛羊布鲁氏菌病得到有效控制。结果提示,应继续加强上述疫病的免疫和监测,针对免疫效果较差、病原流行率偏高的疫病,要重点做好防控和净化。     

山羊痘病毒p32基因原核表达及间接ELISA抗体检测方法的建立

为了建立山羊痘病毒(GPV)抗体快速检测方法,本研究通过人工合成密码子优化的GPV p32基因,并在大肠杆菌中进行截短表达(p32-opti).表达的重组p32-opti蛋白主要以包涵体形式存在,Western blot分析表明,p32-opti与GPV标准阳性血清具有良好的抗原性.以纯化的重组p32-opti蛋白作为ELISA包被抗原,建立间接ELISA抗体检测方法.该方法检测小反刍兽疫、蓝舌病和口蹄疫阳性血清均无交叉反应;与中和试验(VNT)比较,两者的符合率为95.7%;ELISA批内和批间重复性试验显示,OD值的变异系数小于10%.上述结果表明.该ELISA检测方法具有良好的特异性、敏感性和重复性.对来自黑龙江、内蒙古和新疆自治区的390份山羊和绵羊血清进行检测,抗体阳性率为80.2%,表明这些地区的山羊和绵羊群普遍存在羊痘病毒抗体.本研究建立的间接ELISA方法可用于GPV感染的流行病学调查以及疫苗接种动物的抗体水平监测.     

Prevalence and epidemiological features of ovine enzootic abortion in Lithuania

The aim of performed study was to determine the level of enzootic abortion (EA) in sheep breeding farms in different districts of Lithuania, to determine differences in clinical signs and infection frequency between various age groups, and to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of complement fixation test for antibodies detection and indirect immunofluorescence for antigen detection in sheep chlamydiosis. The clinical, serological and immunological tests in sheep farms were performed in 2004 and 2005. Comparing different age groups of sheep revealed that the lowest number of infected sheep was registered in animals younger than 18 months (23.1%, antibodies titre 3.191 log2, P<0.05) and highest in animals aged 18 to 24 months (53.8%, antibodies titre 4.224 log2, P<0.001). In sheep aged more than 3 years, titre of antibodies was significantly reduced. The majority of infected sheep which aborted (86.4%) was registered in 18-24 month age group. Furthermore, in sheep which aborted the infection level was 2.5-fold higher as compared to sheep which didn't abort. Analysis of smears from patological material by indirect FAT revealed that 54.5% of animals were positive to Chlamydophila abortus infection. The highest prevalence of chlamydia (66.7%) was registered in placentas of sheep which aborted.     

Prevalence of Bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) antibodies among sheep and goats in India

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of pestivirus antibodies in sheep and goats in India. A total of 2803 serum samples collected between 2004 and 2008 from 1777 sheep in 92 flocks and 1026 goats in 63 flocks belonging to 13 states were tested by competition ELISA for detection of pestivirus antibodies. In sheep, the true prevalence rate was 23.4% (95% confidence interval: 22.9%–27.0%) and in goats it was 16.9% (95% CI: 16.4%–21.3%). The flock level seroprevalence was 66.3% for sheep and 54.0% for goats. Geographical variation in individual and flock prevalence was highly significant. A significant association (p?<?0.05) was found between sheep and goat flocks having cattle contact and the flock level seroprevalence. The seroprevalence was lower in 6 months–1 year age group compared to the 1–2 year and >2 year age groups in both sheep and goats. Cross neutralization studies on 61 seropositive sheep and 34 seropositive goat samples representing all positive flocks, exhibited > four fold higher titre to bovine viral diarrhoea virus type 1 (BVDV-1) in 41 sheep and 23 goat samples and to BVDV-2 in one sheep and goat each. This study for the first time showed serological evidence of wide spread BVDV infections in Indian sheep and goats, with BVDV-1 predominating and BVDV-2 occasionally besides highlighting the potential risk of infection to other species, which needs to be considered whenever BVD control measures are initiated.     

Effect of the interval between shearing and dipping on the spread of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection in sheep

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the spread of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection to sheep in dips could be controlled by increasing the time between shearing and dipping. DESIGN: A controlled treatment trial where only the time between shearing and dipping was varied. ANIMALS AND PROCEDURE: One hundred and ninety-five sheep were found to be negative for C. pseudotuberculosis exposure by assay of CLA toxin antibody, were divided into four treatment groups. Each was shorn at either 0, 2, 4 or 8 weeks before dipping in a solution containing C. pseudotuberculosis. Blood samples were taken 6 weeks after dipping and sheep were slaughtered 12 weeks after dipping. A fifth smaller group of 14 sheep shorn 26 weeks before dipping, was also exposed to C. pseudotuberculosis and was slaughtered with the other sheep. RESULTS: The occurrence of caseous lymphadenitis abscesses did not differ between groups or with sheep shorn 26 weeks before dipping. The proportion of sheep that seroconverted to the C. pseudotuberculosis toxin and cell wall ELISA was larger in sheep dipped immediately after shearing than in sheep in the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: Delaying dipping until 8 weeks after shearing did not decrease the C. pseudotuberculosis infection rate due to dipping. Sheep dipped immediately after shearing developed higher concentrations of antibody to C. pseudotuberculosis than sheep when dipping occurred between 2 and 8 weeks and later after shearing.     

Ehrlichia ruminantium seroprevalence in domestic ruminants in Ghana; I. Longitudinal survey in the Greater Accra Region

Serum samples collected monthly over a 34-month period from cattle, sheep and goats in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana were tested for antibodies to Ehrlichia (previously Cowdria) ruminantium, the causative agent of heartwater, by polyclonal competitive ELISA (PC-ELISA). Maternal antibodies, detected in about half of animals followed from under 1 month old, declined to negative levels within 2–4 months. Amblyomma variegatum tick vectors were present on livestock in rural areas throughout the year, and first seroconversion occurred at any age, although the majority of calves seroconverted between 1 and 10 months old, sheep by 11 months, and goats by 7 months. All the cattle in the study became seropositive by 20 months of age, except one animal which subsequently died of heartwater. Following seroconversion, 25% of bovine sera tested negative in the PC-ELISA. Just over half the sheep in the survey seroconverted before or during the study period; following seroconversion, less than 3% of ovine sera became PC-ELISA negative. About a quarter of the goats seroconverted, and 34% of their post-seroconversion sera tested negative in the PC-ELISA. Overall, the serology indicated that virtually all cattle on the survey farms were exposed to E. ruminantium without suffering disease, but that a substantial proportion of sheep and goats escaped exposure and thus formed a susceptible population. E. ruminantium was detected in brains of 14, 36 and 4% of cattle, sheep and goats submitted for post mortem at the Accra Veterinary Laboratory, indicating that sheep were most at risk from heartwater disease.     

Efficacy of a flock-specific pseudotuberculosis vaccine in goats

In a flock with 33 adult goats repeated abscesses due to Pseudotuberculosis occurred. For the owners refused a sanitation program based on testing and removing, the goats were vaccinated with a flock specific, whole-cells lysate vaccine of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. Partly simultaneously or 14 days later vaccinations against Clostridiosis (Covexin8) and against Erysipelas (Erysorb plus) were performed at different application sites. After a twofold basal vaccination in a 4 week interval the goats were revaccinated in half year intervals. The local (swelling at the injection site) and systemic reactions (temperature elevation, antibody activity) after vaccination and the clinical status of the flock (core body temperature, adspection, abscesses, lymph nodes) were investigated over a period of two years. Due to the vaccination program the rate of new cases of clinical pseudotuberculosis were reduced significantly. In the last 3 months of the investigation no clinical cases occurred. The vaccination with the C. pseudotuberculosis-vaccine induced a significant increase in antibody activities detected by ELISA. Due to interaction of maternal antibodies with the antigen of the vaccine lambs should be vaccinated at the earliest at an age of 9 weeks. Vaccinating the C. pseudotuberculosis-vaccine separately in time to Covexin8 and Erysorb plus induced with increasing numbers of revaccinations higher antibody activities against C. pseudotuberculosis than simultaneous vaccinations with all the 3 vaccines. But this difference does not justify the additional expense of separate vaccinations in time. Despite considerable local and systemic reaction the C. pseudotuberculosis-vaccine is recommended to support sanitation programs.     

Seroprevalence of ovine progressive pneumonia virus in sheep in the United States as assessed by analyses of voluntarily submitted samples.

Ovine progressive pneumonia (OPP) is a lentivirus-induced disease of sheep in the United States that is similar, if not identical, to maedi/visna in many other countries. Prevalence estimates of seropositivity to this virus in sheep in the United States have been confined to limited groups or flocks of sheep and have varied from 1 to 90%. In this study of detection of antibodies against OPP virus, we found a lower general prevalence of antibodies to OPP virus in sheep than was previously reported. Of 16,827 sheep from 29 states in the United States, 26% were seropositive and 48% of 164 flocks that were tested had 1 or more seropositive sheep. Seropositivity to OPP virus for sheep within special categories was determined, although nonrandom samples that were available may have biased the results. Within regions of the United States, prevalence was highest in the Rocky Mountain region at 49% and lowest in the northern Atlantic region at 9%. Seropositive sheep were not evenly distributed among flocks, but were clustered in a few flocks of sheep. A high number of flocks had no or few seropositive sheep. Prevalence increased with age from 4% at less than 1 year to a plateau of 34% at 4 years. Seropositivity was variable among breeds and was not associated with sex, wool class, or place of origin of ancestors.     

Comparison of an interferon-gamma to a phospholipase D enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for diagnosis of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection in experimentally infected goats

The optimal method of control of caseous lymphadenitis of goats caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis is eradication of infection by identification and removal of infected carrier animals. The objective of this study was to compare detection of C. pseudotuberculosis experimentally infected goats using a commercially available bovine interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) whole blood enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to serological response to a recombinant phospholipase D (PLD) ELISA. The tests were assessed repeatedly over 1 year in three infected and three non-infected goats. Using a IFN-gamma optical density cut-off at 0.10 as positive under the conditions used, the test accurately detected C. pseudotuberculosis experimentally infected goats over a 363 day period with a reliability of 89.2% and non-infected goats with a reliability of 97.1%. Using a cut-off value of the mean for negative samples plus two standard deviations, the PLD ELISA detected C. pseudotuberculosis experimentally infected goats over this period with a reliability of 81.0% and non-infected goats with a reliability of 97.0%. The PLD ELISA was however more predictive than the IFN-gamma ELISA of the presence of lesions observed at postmortem examination of infected goats.