The effect of the tuberculin test and the consequences of a delay in blood culture on the sensitivity of a gamma-interferon assay for the detection of Mycobacterium bovis infection in cattle

The strategic use of the gamma-interferon (IFN-gamma) assay (Bovigam) can provide a means for the early identification of Mycobacterium bovis infected cattle, thus ensuring their removal from an infected herd. It has been reported that performance of the test can be influenced by various factors including a recent tuberculin skin test and the length of delay between collection and processing of blood samples. In this study, single intradermal comparative tuberculin test (SICTT) reactor and non-reactor cattle were recruited from herds infected with M. bovis and grouped according to their SICTT responses. Group 1 comprised reactor cattle selected on the basis of their SICTT response to PPD-bovine (purified protein derivative of tuberculin) exceeding that of PPD-avian by at least 12mm. Group 2 animals were selected from herds undergoing routine surveillance for bovine tuberculosis and contained standard SICTT reactor cattle (PPD-bovine exceeding that of PPD-avian by at least 4mm) and non-reactors. We investigated the effects of the SICTT on the assay results by measuring the in vitro IFN-gamma responses of Group 1 reactor cattle at time intervals pre- and post-skin test. No significant differences were measured in the IFN-gamma responses of the reactor animals to PPD-bovine and PPD-avian for up to 65 days. To investigate if a delay in processing of blood affected the performance of the assay, we compared results using duplicate blood samples from Group 1 and Group 2 cattle stimulated with PPD antigen at 8h and at 24h after collection. In both groups of animals the mean optical density (OD) values of the assay at 24h post-collection were significantly lower than those at 8h. Our results demonstrated that a delay in processing of the blood samples from cattle subjected to routine surveillance could significantly impact on the outcome of the IFN-gamma assay resulting in a change of the IFN-gamma status of the animals.     

Effects of positive results for Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis as determined by microbial culture of feces or antibody ELISA on results of caudal fold tuberculin test and interferon-gamma assay for tuberculosis in cattle

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether cattle testing positive for Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis as determined by microbial culture of feces or antibody ELISA were more likely to have false-positive responses on the caudal fold tuberculin (CFT) test or interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) assay for Mycobacterium bovis than cattle testing negative for M paratuberculosis. ANIMALS: 1043 cattle from 10 herds in Michigan. PROCEDURE: Feces and blood samples for plasma were collected from cattle > or =24 months old on the day the CFT test was read. Fecal samples were submitted for microbial culture for M paratuberculosis. Plasma samples were tested for antibody against M paratuberculosis, and IFN-gamma after stimulation with purified protein derivative tuberculin from M bovis or M avium. RESULTS: Of 1043 cattle, 180 (17.3%) had positive CFT test results (suspects) and 8 (0.8%) had positive IFN-gamma assay results after stimulation with purified protein derivative tuberculin from M bovis. Forty-five (4.3%) and 115 (11.0%) cattle tested positive for M paratuberculosis as determined by microbial culture of feces and antibody ELISA, respectively. Cattle with positive responses for M paratuberculosis appeared to have an increased likelihood of false-positive results on the CFT test, although this association was not significant. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: No significant association was detected among cattle testing positive for M paratuberculosis as determined by microbial culture of feces and antibody ELISA and positive CFT test and IFN-gamma assay results for M bovis.     

牛结核病两种活体诊断方法检测结合病原学诊断的研究

本文报道应用两种活体诊断方法检测牛结核病的试验结果。2010～2011年度,应用PPD皮内变态反应方法分3批次对5156头奶牛和奶水牛实施监测,监测阳性数57头,阳性率1.11%。采集该57头牛抗凝全血,应用γ-干扰素酶联免疫吸附试验进行检测,检出阳性样品3份,阳性率5.26%。对14头第一批PPD皮内变态反应阳性牛进行病理检验和进行细菌分离培养和PCR检测,结果3份样品分离培养呈阳性,其中1份PCR鉴定为结核分枝杆菌,2份为非分枝杆菌。PCR方法检测的14份组织样品中,2份为结核分枝杆菌阳性,1份为牛结核分枝杆菌阳性。结合病理剖检和病原PCR诊断,分析比较PPD皮内变态反应试验和γ-干扰素酶联免疫吸附试验的敏感性和特异性,由于PPD纯度、非特异性反应、结果判定的主观性等因素,导致PPD皮内变态反应监测检出假阳性率较高。     

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of lysozyme extracts of virulent Mycobacterium bovis in guinea pigs and calves

Extracts of Mycobacterium bovis ATCC 19210 were prepared from cells following treatment with acetone 3 times, ethyl alcohol-ether 3 times (1:1, v/v), and chloroform 3 times. Cells were dried and suspended in 0.05M Tris-HCl (pH 7.5) containing lysozyme (1 mg/50 mg of dried cells). One aliquot of the lysozyme extract was filter-sterilized and 1 aliquot of the lysozyme extract was autoclaved. Delayed-type hypersensitivity responses elicited in sensitized guinea pigs, using the filter-sterilized lysozyme extract, were significantly greater than responses elicited using the autoclaved lysozyme extract (P less than 0.01). The filter-sterilized lysozyme extract and a purified protein derivative (PPD) of M bovis, at equal protein concentrations, elicited comparable delayed-type hypersensitivity responses in sensitized guinea pigs. Significant differences were not detected between the mean enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) values on sera collected from calves before exposure to M bovis, using each of the lysozyme extracts or the M bovis PPD (P greater than 0.05). Significant differences were detected when ELISA values obtained using each of the antigens on post-exposure serum were compared with ELISA values on serum collected from calves before exposure to M bovis (P less than 0.01). Differences were not detected in mean ELISA values on sera from cattle collected 12 months after exposure to M bovis, using each of the lysozyme extracts or M bovis PPD (P greater than 0.05); however, 8 of 8 calves were identified as positive on ELISA, using the filter-sterilized lysozyme extract, 7 of 8 calves were positive, using M bovis PPD, and 7 of 8 calves were positive, using the autoclaved lysozyme extract.     

An evaluation of the gamma interferon test for detecting bovine tuberculosis in cattle 8 to 28 days after tuberculin skin testing

The gamma interferon (IFN -gamma) test was evaluated for its ability to diagnose bovine tuberculosis in cattle that 8 to 28 days previously had a positive caudal fold skin test. The sensitivity of the test was determined in a group of 163 Mycobacterium bovis -infected cattle from 21 herds. The specificity was estimated in a group of 213 cattle which had reacted to a caudal fold test, but were from 82 herds that had no evidence of infection with M bovis. The sensitivity and specificity of the IFN -gamma test was 85 and 93 per cent respectively. No significant differences in the sensitivity and specificity of the test were observed between blood samples that were cultured on the day of collection and those cultured the day after collection. These findings support the use of the IFN -gamma test as a practical serial test that can be used to complement the caudal fold skin test.     

Lymphocyte subset proliferative responses of Mycobacterium bovis-infected cattle to purified protein derivative

Despite highly successful eradication efforts in several countries, Mycobacterium bovis infection of cattle remains a significant health concern worldwide. Immune mechanisms of resistance to and/or clearance of M. bovis infection of cattle, however, are unclear. Recent studies have provided evidence supporting a role for CD4(+), CD8(+), and gammadelta TCR(+) T cells in the response of cattle to M. bovis. In the present study, we utilized a flow cytometric-based proliferation assay to determine the relative contribution of individual lymphocyte subsets in the response to M. bovis infection and/or sensitization with mycobacterial purified protein derivative (PPD). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from M. bovis-infected cattle proliferated in response to in vitro stimulation with M. bovis PPD. CD4(+) T cells and gammadelta TCR(+) cells were the predominate subsets of lymphocytes responding to PPD. gammadelta TCR(+) cells also proliferated in non-stimulated cultures; however, the gammadelta TCR(+) cell proliferative response of infected cattle was significantly (p<0.05) greater in PPD-stimulated cultures as compared to non-stimulated cultures. Intradermal injection of PPD for comparative cervical testing (CCT) induced a boost in the in vitro proliferative response of CD4(+) but not gammadelta TCR(+) cells of infected cattle. Administration of PPD for CCT also boosted interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production by PBMC of infected cattle following in vitro stimulation with M. bovis PPD. Injection of PPD for CCT did not, however, elicit a proliferative or IFN-gamma response in cells isolated from non-infected cattle. These data indicate that CD4(+) and gammadelta TCR(+) cells of M. bovis-infected cattle proliferate in a recall response to M. bovis PPD and that the CD4(+) cell response is boosted by intradermal injection with PPD for CCT.     

Evaluation of the gamma interferon test for diagnosis of paratuberculosis in goats

The gamma interferon assay was evaluated for diagnosis of paratuberculosis in goats with special emphasis on false positive reactions. Four categories of herds were tested: (A) herds that had a history of paratuberculosis, had given positive Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis fecal samples and were vaccinated against paratuberculosis; (B) herds that had been vaccinated but had never shown clinical signs of paratuberculosis nor given positive M. a. paratuberculosis fecal samples; and (C) non-vaccinated herds without paratuberculosis. To extend the analysis of samples from young goats free of paratuberculosis, animals less than 18 months of age from non-vaccinated herds without paratuberculosis, category D, were included. Heparinized blood was stimulated with purified protein derivate (PPD) from M. a. paratuberculosis for 24 h and plasma was assayed for the presence of gamma interferon. Results were recorded as the difference between OD values of PPD stimulated and control samples. Vaccinated animals from herds with paratuberculosis, category A, showed significant higher gamma interferon responses than animals from vaccinated herds without paratuberculosis, category B. In both these groups the responses were correlated to age with higher responses in younger animals. Some of the vaccinated animals in herds without paratuberculosis had a gamma interferon response lasting for several years, which demonstrate a long lasting interference with diagnostic testing in vaccinated goats. Only three of the 121 non-vaccinated animals free of paratuberculosis in category C had responses against PPD (corrected OD values at 0.2, 0.24 and 0.5), and none of the 255 young animals in category D had corrected OD values exceeding 0.2. This indicates that false positive reactions do not appear to the same extent in young goats as in young cattle. We conclude that the low responses of non-infected goats could make the gamma interferon assay useful in monitoring the paratuberculosis status of non-vaccinated herds. However, more information about the early gamma interferon responses of naturally infected goats and the presence of false negative samples are needed.     

Time delay, temperature effects and assessment of positive controls on whole blood for the gamma interferon ELISA to detect paratuberculosis

Our objective was to evaluate the effects of time and temperature on whole blood used in the gamma interferon enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (IFN-gamma ELISA) for paratuberculosis along with evaluating four potential positive controls, and four different mycobacterial antigens for the ELISA. Nine adult Holstein cattle naturally infected with Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis were used in a randomized complete block design. Forty-nine blood tubes were collected from each animal and held at 48.9, 37.8, 26.7, 21.1, 15.6 and 4.4 degrees C for 0, 4, 8, 12, 18, 24, 32, 48 and 72 h. Each blood tube was tested with four mycobacterial antigens (two johnin PPDs, an avain PPD and a whole cell sonicate) and four potential positive controls [concanavalin A (conA), phytohaemagglutinin A (PHA), pokeweed mitogen (PWM) and Staphylococcus enterotoxin A (SEA)]. After incubation for 24 h, the plasma was assayed with a commercial IFN-gamma ELISA. Blood stored at 21.1 and 15.6 degrees C maintained the highest ELISA optical densities (OD) over time with severe reduction in OD values at or above 37.8 degrees C. None of the potential positive controls exactly mimicked the antigen response. SEA and PWM were able to elicit a response after the whole blood quit responding to the antigen and conA underestimated the responsiveness. Phytohemagglutinin A was similar to the antigens on an average, but there was significant disagreement among samples. The PPDs were more potent at stimulating IFN-gamma production than the whole cell sonicate. In conclusion, whole blood should be stored/transported at ambient room temperature and stimulated within 12 h of collection.     

Method for evaluation of Mycobacterium bovis purified protein derivative tuberculin in experimentally infected cattle.

A method for the evaluation of Mycobacterium bovis purified protein derivative (PPD) tuberculin in experimentally infected cattle is presented. The development of skin test responses in M bovis-infected cattle was determined for International Standard PPD-S, M bovis PPD-2, and M bovis PPD-5 at 24, 48, and 72 hours. Significantly larger reactions (dermal thickness) were observed at 48 and 72 hours than at 24 hours (P = 0.001). Statistically significant differences were not detected in the responses obtained with M bovis PPD-2, M bovis PPD-5, and International Standard PPD-S if comparisons were made at approximately the same concentrations in M bovis-infected cattle (P greater than 0.25). In Mycobacterium avium-infected cattle, M bovis PPD-2 produced skin test responses that were significantly smaller than responses obtained using M avium PPD-2 (P = 0.001). Significant variation was not observed in the PPD-S responses in 2 groups of M bovis-infected cattle (P greater than 0.1).     

Assessment of defined antigens for the diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis in skin test-reactor cattle

The continued use of purified protein derivative (PPD) tuberculin is considered to be the main factor which limits the specificity of diagnostic tests for bovine tuberculosis (TB). This study evaluated a whole blood interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) assay and compared the diagnostic potential of PPD with two tuberculosis-specific antigens, ESAT-6 and MPB70. To provide estimates of sensitivity and specificity, responses were measured in 180 skin test-reacting cattle, of which 131 were confirmed as tuberculous, and in 128 cattle from TB-free herds. For the skin test reactors, there was a positive correlation between the IFN-gamma responses to PPD from Mycobacterium bovis (PPDB) and PPD from Mycobacterium avium (PPDA), indicating cross-reactivity between these complex antigens which are the basis of the skin test. In comparisons of the ESAT-6 IFN-gamma test with a PPD IFN-gamma test (using PPDB compared with PPDA), there was a decrease in sensitivity (76.3 per cent vs 89.3 per cent), but a clear increase in specificity (99.2 per cent vs 92.2 per cent). The provision of high specificity, even with lower sensitivity, offers major benefits for testing in areas with a low incidence of TB.     

Lymphocyte blastogenesis in bluetongue virus or Mycobacterium bovis-inoculated bovine fetuses

Bovine fetuses were inoculated with Mycobacterium bovis, bluetongue virus or placebo at approximately 125 days of gestation, and blastogenic responses of peripheral blood lymphocytes and lymph node cells were determined at various time intervals after inoculation. Lymphocytes from all fetuses were stimulated by phytohemagglutinin, concanavalin A, and pokeweed mitogen, and peripheral blood lymphocytes gave consistently greater stimulation indices than did prescapular lymph node cells. Bluetongue virus infection did not consistently suppress mitogen induced lymphocyte blastogenesis. Lymphocytes taken from fetuses at 20 or 50 days after Mycobacterium bovis inoculation were not stimulated by purified protein derivative (PPD), whereas lymphocytes taken from adult cattle at similar intervals after Mycobacterium bovis inoculation were stimulated by PPD. Although lymphocytes from bovine fetuses may be stimulated by mitogens, antigen specific blastogenesis to a known inducer of cellular immunity was not detected by 175 days of gestation.     

Assessment of an ELISA method to support surveillance of bovine tuberculosis in Albania

Background

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is an important bacterial infectious disease in Albania of concern to animal and human health; its prevalence is poorly documented.

Methods

In this longitudinal study, we tested by ELISA 2661 serum samples, from 154 herds, with the aim of establishing the suitability of this approach to screen the bovine population for bTB. In a follow-on survey of 87 animals in three villages, we assessed the usefulness of the Mycobacterium bovis IDEXX ELISA (IDEXX M. bovis Antibody (Ab) Test. IDEXX Europe B.V P.O. Box 1334, 2130 EK Hoofddorp, The Netherlands) assay by comparing IDEXX results with the results of the single intradermal cervical skin test. Skin tests were performed either after or at the time of collection of blood samples, and therefore cattle were not sensitized by tuberculin before serological testing.

Results

The proportion of herds in which serologically positive cattle were found was 18.2 % (95 % CI, 1.9–25.8 %) and the prevalence of seropositive cattle was 1.4 % (95 % CI, 0.8–2.1 %). In the follow-up study, two of the 87 animals reacted positively to the skin test and two produced inconclusive reactions. No overlap was found between the four animals with positive IDEXX ELISA results and the four animals with non-negative skin test results.

Conclusion

The lack of agreement between the results of the two tests may reflect different elements of the immune response (humoral and cell-mediated immunity). In future, cattle should be sensitized by the intradermal injection of tuberculin 14 days prior to the collection of blood samples, which would then be tested by the Mycobacterium bovis IDEXX ELISA Test in order to determine more accurately the prevalence of infection.

     

Monocyte-induced potentiation of bovine fetal thymocyte mitogenic responses to concanavalin A

Peripheral blood monocytes significantly potentiated the mitogenic response of bovine fetal thymocytes to Concanavalin A as measured by incorporation of [3H] thymidine into cellular DNA. Mononuclear cells obtained from either normal or Mycobacterium bovis sensitized cattle were cultured with or without purified protein derivative (PPD) for 24 hours at which time bovine fetal thymocytes and concanavalin A were added. After 3 days of culture, both activated or non-activated monocytes significantly potentiated Con A-induced blastogenic responses. of monocytes from thymocyte cultures completely abrogated thymocyte responses to Concanavalin A.     

Use of recombinant proteins in antibody tests for bovine tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) in cattle remains a major zoonotic and economic problem in many countries. Since the standard diagnostic assay, the intradermal test (IDT) with bovine PPD tuberculin, has less than optimal accuracy in all situations, other diagnostic methods such as serological assays have been investigated. Because of fundamental concerns for the low sensitivity and specificity of previous ELISA protocols, a profiling ELISA with nine purified, recombinant proteins of TB complex mycobacteria, was employed on samples from four groups of cattle: (a) naturally Mycobacterium avium-exposed and experimentally Mycobacterium bovis-infected, (b) officially-certified TB-free herds, (c) exposed to M. bovis in two field TB outbreaks and scored as bovine reactors in the gamma-IFN assay for bovine TB, (d) paratuberculosis (para TB)-infected. The described ELISA proved to be highly specific. In fact, the antibody (Ab) response could be consistently detected in 3 out of 3 endotracheally-infected calves and in 1 out of 3 contact-infected calves. There was also a very low prevalence of low-titered, non-specific Ab responses in paraTB-infected animals. As for the animals exposed to field TB outbreaks, 16 out of 28 gamma-IFN positive cattle were also Ab-positive; importantly, 7 out of 12 gamma-IFN positive, IDT-negative cattle showed Ab responses to TB proteins. In general, the profile of the Ab response varied among animals; the reaction to single recombinant antigens was sometimes transient and fluctuating, whereas the panel of antigens on the whole was indeed more effective in Ab detection.     

应用TaqMan荧光定量PCR检测牛分枝杆菌

为建立快速检测牛分枝杆菌(M.bovis)的TaqMan荧光定量PCR方法,本研究以GenBank登录的M.bovis特有229 bp基因为研究对象,设计并合成引物及探针。该方法具有较好的特异性,与标准质控菌株呈阳性反应,与其他微生物样品呈阴性反应;灵敏性最低检测值可达1 pg/mL;对20阳性临床样品进行荧光定量PCR检测,均为阳性;而对培养为阴性的20份临床样品进行检测,6份为阳性。该研究结果表明,建立的方法特异性强,敏感性高,稳定性好,能够用于M.bovis的鉴别检测,对牛分枝杆菌病的快速检测和早期诊断具有重要意义。     

Diagnosis of Mycobacterium bovis infection in calves sensitized by mycobacteria of the avium/intracellulare group

Because of the frequent exposure of cattle to mycobacteria of the avium/intracellulare group, an investigation was carried out into the possible repercussions thereof on the diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis. Three calves from a bovine tuberculosis-free herd, scored avian reactors in the gamma-interferon assay for bovine tuberculosis, were sedated and inoculated endotracheally with a virulent Mycobacterium bovis strain. Then, three other avian reactors were housed with the above donor calves. Mycobacterium bovis was isolated from the nasal swabs of the three endotracheally infected, donor calves. On these samples, TB complex-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for IS6110 were also positive, albeit with a different time kinetics. The three contact-infected calves showed clear immunological signs of infection; however, their nasal swabs were always PCR-negative and only Mycobacterium avium was isolated. In the endotracheally infected donor calves there was a rise of the gamma-interferon responses to avian and bovine purified protein derivative (PPD) tuberculins, which reached the same stable plateau levels over the whole experiment. The above effect was also observed in the contact-infected calves, even though the response to avian PPD tuberculin always remained at a higher level. By using conventional bovine and avian PPD tuberculins, the comparative intradermal test was generally positive in endotracheally infected, as opposed to contact-infected calves; a positive intradermal test for M. bovis was obtained in two contact-infected calves by different bovine PPD tuberculins based on M. bovis bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) secreted or somatic antigens. It was concluded that M. bovis infection may be concealed for some time in cattle sensitized by mycobacteria of the avium/intracellulare group and that different diagnostic procedures should be adopted for such animals.     

基于结核菌素与CFP10／ESAT6的牛IFN-γ检测法在牛结核病诊断中的比较研究

本研究通过比较三种刺激物（牛结核菌素、禽结核菌素和牛型结核菌特异性抗原CFP10／ESAT6对结核菌素皮内变态反应阳性牛的IFN-γ刺激反应,探讨IFN-γ检测法在我国牛结核病诊断中的应用前景。无菌采集22头结核菌素皮内变态反应阳性牛的血液．肝素抗凝。每1mL全血与1mL RPMI1640完全培养基混合均匀,并加入0.1mL（20μg）PHA（阳性对照孔）、0．1mL（20μg PHA）CFP10／ESAT6融合蛋白、0．1mL（2000U）＆结核菌素（PPD／B）、0．1mL（2500u）禽结核菌素（PPD／A）或等量PBS（无刺激阴性对照）,37℃培养过夜。次日用夹心ELISA法检测各刺激组0．1mL培养上清的IFN-γ,以OD630表示IFN-γ浓度。结果,特异性抗原CFP10／ESAT6刺激组与牛结核菌素（PPD／B）刺激组的IFN-γ反应具有良好的相关性．相关系数为0．84。但CFP10／ESAT6刺激组IFN-γ浓度与牛和禽PPD的比较反应（以两刺激组IFN-γ浓度差值表示）间无相关性,相关系数为-0．11。分析禽PPD组的IFN-γ反应,发现实验牛中有少数牛对禽PPD有反应。以OD630=0．17为阳性反应切割值,牛PPD检出阳性牛21头,CFP10／ESAT6检出20头,牛和禽PPD比较反应（以OD值差值表示）检出14头,禽PPD阳性反应3头。扣除禽PPD阳性反应牛后,牛和禽PPD比较反应与牛PPD刺激组的相关系数增至0．54。结果表明,牛PPD的IFN-γ释放反应检测灵敏度最高。当出现牛型结核菌与环境分枝杆菌混合感染时．应用牛和禽PPD比较反应检测牛结核的准确度低,混合感染牛被误判为结核阴性牛。而基于CFP10／ESAT6的IFN-γ释放反应不受环境分枝杆菌的影响,检测具有良好的特异性与敏感性。     

Experimental Mycobacterium bovis infection of cattle: effect of dose of M. bovis and pregnancy on immune responses and distribution of lesions

Groups of 18-month-old cattle were inoculated intratracheally with 5 x 10(5) colony forming units (high dose) or 500 colony forming units (low dose) of Mycobacterium bovis to determine an appropriate dose to induce lesions similar to those seen in the natural disease. An additional group of 21-28 weeks pregnant cattle were inoculated with the high dose of M. bovis to determine if pregnancy increased the susceptibility of cattle to M. bovis infection. By 23-24 weeks after challenge, the high dose of M. bovis had induced extensive lung lesions, and tuberculous lesions were observed in the lymph nodes of the head, neck, and thoracic and abdominal cavities. In contrast, the low dose of M. bovis induced predominantly small lesions (< 1 cm diameter) which were localised to the lungs and pulmonary lymph nodes. The lesions induced by the low dose were similar to those seen in the natural disease in cattle. The majority of the high dose group cattle produced strong antibody responses to M. bovis culture filtrate, while only one low dose animal produced a detectable response. All of the M. bovis-inoculated cattle produced strong cellular immune responses to bovine PPD (skin test and interferon-gamma responses). Pregnancy did not appear to affect the susceptibility to M. bovis infection, and immune responses of the cattle in this group at the end of the study were similar to those in the high dose non-pregnant group. However, from the first test after calving, the interferon-gamma responses of peripheral blood cultures to bovine PPD were low compared with the responses prior to calving.     

Evaluation of two commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for detection of bovine viral diarrhoea virus in serum and skin biopsies of cattle

AIM: To assess the ability of two commercial bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) virus (BVDV) antigen-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) to detect virus in serum and skin biopsies. METHODS: Thirty cattle persistently infected (PI) with BVDV were identified using routine diagnostic laboratory testing. Additional ear-notch skin biopsies and blood samples were collected from these animals to confirm the diagnosis, and from 246 cohorts, to determine their BVDV status. Skin biopsies were soaked overnight in buffer and the eluate collected. All sera and eluate were tested using two commercially available ELISAs for detecting BVDV antigen, and a subsample of positive and negative sera was tested using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. A study was also performed to ascertain the risk of cross contamination occurring during the collection and processing of skin biopsies. RESULTS: Both serum and skin samples tested using either ELISA resulted in the detection of all cattle identified as PI and no non-infected cattle were incorrectly classified as infected using either method. Agreement between all assays (ELISAs, whether performed on serum or skin, and PCR) was 100%. No cross-contamination of skin samples between animals was evident using routine biopsy methods. CONCLUSIONS: Viraemic cattle infected with BVDV were accurately identified using either of the two commercial ELISAs evaluated on either serum or skin samples. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Either skin biopsies or serum samples can be collected from cattle to determine their BVDV status. This should overcome problems in accurately identifying the infection status of young calves in which colostral antibodies might interfere with the antigen-capture ELISA.     

The gamma-interferon assay for diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis in cattle: conditions affecting the production of gamma-interferon in whole blood culture

The recently developed gamma-interferon (IFN-gamma) assay system for the diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis in cattle has been accredited by the Standing Committee on Agriculture for use in Australia. In this test system, whole blood is incubated with tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) antigens for 16 to 24 h. The plasma is then collected and assayed for IFN-gamma production using an enzyme immunoassay (EIA). The assay system has proven to be a rapid, sensitive and inexpensive method for measuring antigen specific cell-mediated reactivity when compared with the more traditional lymphocyte proliferation assay. The IFN-gamma assay is the first in-vitro cellular assay to be used as a routine diagnostic test in veterinary medicine. While the IFN-gamma EIA has been optimised, several conditions affecting the production of IFN-gamma in whole blood culture needed investigation. We determined that optimal IFN-gamma production required the use of heparinised blood, cultured with 20 micrograms/ml of PPD within 8 h of collection. The use of blood collected post mortem resulted in reduced sensitivity for the assay. The kinetics of IFN-gamma release were established as were the effects of intradermal tuberculin testing on the IFN-gamma assay.