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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Animal Disease Center » Infectious Bacterial Diseases Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #270183
Title: Development and evaluation of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for use in the detection bovine tuberculosis in cattle

Author
item Waters, Wade
item BUDDLE, B - Hopkirk Research Institute
item VORDERMEIER, H - Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA)
item GORMLEY, E - University College - Ireland
item Palmer, Mitchell
item Thacker, Tyler
item Bannantine, John
item Stabel, Judith
item LINSCOTT, R - Idexx Laboratories
item MARTEL, E - Idexx Laboratories
item MILIAN, F - Forest Research Institute, Agriculture And Livestock
item FOSHAUG, W - Antel Biosystems, Inc
item LAWRENCE, J - Idexx Laboratories

Submitted to: Clinical and Vaccine Immunology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/8/2011
Publication Date: 11/1/2011
Citation: Waters, W.R., Buddle, B.M., Vordermeier, H.M., Gormley, E., Palmer, M.V., Thacker, T.C., Bannantine, J.P., Stabel, J.R., Linscott, R., Martel, E., Milian, F., Foshaug, W., Lawrence, J.C. 2011. Development and evaluation of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for use in the detection of bovine tuberculosis in cattle. Clinical and Vaccine Immunology. 18(11):1882-1888.

Interpretive Summary: Despite highly successful eradication efforts in several countries, tuberculosis of cattle remains a serious health concern worldwide. In addition, recent outbreaks of tuberculosis in Michigan, Minnesota, California, Texas, Nebraska, Indiana, Colorado, and New Mexico demonstrate that the disease is far from eliminated from the United States. Improved techniques are needed for detection of infected cattle. In this study, a new test was developed and evaluated for the specific diagnosis of tuberculosis infection of cattle. Responses by cattle infected with the tubercle bacillus were distinguishable from responses by cattle infected with closely related bacteria. Additionally, a large number of field samples collected from around the world were evaluated to determine test accuracy. Knowledge obtained from this study will enable more accurate detection of cattle with tuberculosis, thereby, enhancing the tuberculosis eradication program.

Technical Abstract: As a consequence of continued spillover of Mycobacterium bovis into cattle from wildlife reservoirs and increased globalization of cattle trade with associated transmission risks, new approaches such as vaccination and novel testing algorithms are seriously being considered by regulatory agencies for the control of bovine tuberculosis. Serologic tests offer opportunities for identification of M. bovis infected animals not afforded by current diagnostic techniques. The present study describes assay development and field assessment of a new commercial ELISA that detects antibody to M. bovis antigens MPB83 and MPB70 in infected cattle. Pertinent findings include: specific antibody responses were detected ~90 -100 days after experimental M. bovis challenge, minimal cross-reactive responses were elicited by infection / sensitization with non-tuberculous Mycobacteria spp., and the apparent sensitivity / specificity of the ELISA with naturally infected cattle was 63% / 98 % respectively, with sensitivity improving as disease severity increased. The ELISA also detected infected animals missed by the routine tuberculin skin test and antibody was detectable in bulk tank milk samples from M. bovis-infected dairy herds. A high throughput ELISA could be adapted as a movement, border, or slaughter surveillance test, as well as a supplemental test to tuberculin skin testing.