Potential for improved detection of bovine tuberculosis by targeting combined blood biomarkers in multi-test algorithms
Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology publish this investigation article
June 1st, 2022
Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) control programs can be improved by combined use of tests for humoral and cell-mediated immune responses targeting multiple biomarkers of Mycobacterium bovis. To further the diagnostic benefits of this approach, we used Dual Path Platform (DPP) technology to test sera from cattle with naturally acquired bTB in the United States (US) and Spain for the presence of M. bovis antigen, IgM and/or IgG antibodies to MPB70/MPB83 fusion antigen in conjunction with tuberculin skin tests (TST) or interferon-gamma release assays (IGRA). When TST was complemented with detection of IgM and IgG antibodies, the diagnostic sensitivity increased from 85.4% to 95.1% in the US and from 64.2% to 81.5% in Spain. Likewise, adding the DPP assays enhanced IGRA diagnostic sensitivity from 82.7% to 93.8% in Spain. Detection of circulating M. bovis antigen showed added value when used in combination with the DPP antibody assays but it was limited when analyzed in the context of TST or IGRA results. Present findings support the benefits of a multi-test approach for the ante-mortem diagnosis of bTB in cattle
Sridhara AA., Johnathan-Lee A., Elahi R., Sikar-Gang A., Lambotte P., Esfandiari J., de Juan L., Gortazar C., Marpe BN., Thacker TC., Palmer MV., Waters WR. and Lyashchenko K.
 | Chembio Diagnostic Systems Inc. |
 | Servicio de Micobacterias (MYC). Centro de Vigilancia Sanitaria Veterinaria (VISAVET). Universidad Complutense (UCM). |
 | Sanidad y Biotecnología (SaBio). Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC). Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC). Universidad de Castilla La Mancha (UCLM). Gobierno de Castilla-La Mancha (JCCM). |
 | Veterinary Services. Animal and Plant Health Inspection. United States Department of Agriculture. |
| Agricultural Research Service. United States Department of Agriculture. |
