ARS | Publication request: REPORT OF THE SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY SUBCOMMITTEE

Submitted to: United States Animal Health Association Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: October 24, 1997
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: The Scientific Advisory Subcommittee of the Committee on Tuberculosis discussed several issues and made the following recommendations: 1) A proposed new tuberculin test, to be known as the single cervical tuberculin test, for diagnosis of tuberculosis in cattle should be evaluated according to the "Criteria for evaluating experimental tuberculosis test performance for official test status." The test should not be approved as an official test until it has been properly evaluated. 2) The nomenclature used to describe tuberculin tests should be standardized to eliminate confusion. The name of the test should be the same regardless of the species of animal to be tested. 3) The criteria specified in the Uniform Methods and Rules for eradication of tuberculosis in Cervidae for herds to meet and maintain a "Monitored Herd Status" should be amended. There should be greater flexibility in the use of diagnostic test data in combination with information collected at slaughter for herds to qualify as a monitored herd. In addition, results of diagnostic tests conducted for any purpose should be accepted rather than accepting only the results of tests conducted for interstate movement of animals. 4) The purified protein derivatives (PPD) prepared tuberculin testing animals in the United States should be tested to determine potency relative to recognized international standards. The PPD used in most other countries is potency tested using international standards and future trade of live animals may require that animals be tested using standardized PPD.