DISCONTOOLS chapter on bovine tuberculosis
New online article published in Discontools
November 20th, 2024
Skuce R., Allen A., Ford T., Romero B., O Brien D., Gormley E., McCormack J., Sawyer J., Bezos J., O Hagan M., Miller M., Coffey M., Gordon S. and Olea Popelka F.
This Disease and Product Analysis (DPA) is policy neutral; we have adhered to the natural science evidence base. Disease: Mammalian tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic bacterial disease of animals, including humans, caused by host-adapted members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosiscomplex (MTBC). Regarding livestock and wildlife hosts, we refer mostly to infection with M. bovis and other animal-adapted variants, such as M. caprae. World Organisation of Animal Health (WOAH 2022, founded as OIE), EU Bovine TB Task Force subgroup and recently the EU Animal Health law (Regulation 2016/429) support this mammalian TB nomenclature.
Yes, antemortem test reagents, or complete tests, are commercially available. Diagnosis tends to be based on cell-mediated immunity (CMI).
Production tends to be centred in a few territories; tests are for the most part expensive.
Specialist culture is the reference standard (no gold standard) for postmortem diagnosis and confirmation in reference laboratories but is increasingly being replaced by validated PCR-based tests.
List of commercially available diagnostics (Diagnostics for Animals).
GAPS :
Availability of less expensive tests, with improved performance characteristics, especially sensitivity (Se).
Improved understanding of cellular and humoral immune responses post-infection, including dose response and impact of concurrent infections.
Improved understanding of pathogenesis and spectrum of exposure outcomes related to immune-based tests and direct pathogen detection.
Require improved and validated diagnostic tests and reagents; for example, skin tests based on more defined antigens, improved serological and molecular detection products, alongside detection of immune surrogates
| Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI). 111 | |
 | Servicio de Micobacterias (MYC). Centro de Vigilancia Sanitaria Veterinaria (VISAVET). Universidad Complutense (UCM). 111 |
| Departamento de Sanidad Animal. Facultad de Veterinaria. Universidad Complutense (UCM). 111 |
| Michigan State University (MSU). 111 | |
 | University College Dublin (UCD). 111 |
 | Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). 111 |
| Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). 111 | |
| Stellenbosch University (SUN). 111 | |
| Scotland’s Rural College (SRC). 111 | |
