Modification of the QuantiFERON-TB Gold (In-Tube) assay for the diagnosis of Mycobacterium bovis infection in African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer)

Date
2011
Authors
Parsons S.D.C.
Cooper D.
McCall A.J.
McCall W.A.
Streicher E.M.
le Maitre N.C.
Muller A.
Gey van Pittius N.C.
Warren R.M.
van Helden P.D.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
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Abstract
African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer) are the most significant wildlife maintenance hosts of Mycobacterium bovis, the causative organism of bovine tuberculosis (BTB). Current diagnostic tests for the detection of M. bovis infection in free-ranging buffaloes have numerous limitations and we wished to evaluate a modification to a human TB assay, the QuantiFERON-TB Gold (In-Tube) assay (QFT), as a practical diagnostic test for BTB in buffaloes. One hundred and seventy-five buffaloes were tested using the single intradermal comparative tuberculin test (SICTT) and a modified QFT (mQFT). An appropriate cut-off point for the mQFT was derived from SICTT results using receiver operator characteristic curve analysis. Twenty-six SICTT-positive buffaloes were killed and subjected to necropsy, and selected tissues were processed for mycobacterial culture and speciation. An optimal cut-off point for the mQFT was calculated as 66. pg/ml. The assay correctly detected 39/40 SICTT-positive buffaloes and 129/134 TST-negative buffaloes and M. bovis was cultured from 21/26 slaughtered SICTT/mQFT-positive animals. The mQFT shows promise as a practical test for M. bovis infection in buffaloes and shows a sensitivity and specificity at least similar to that of the TST. © 2011 Elsevier B.V.
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Citation
Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology
142
02-Jan
http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-79957951221&partnerID=40&md5=f5747f36cd9afc5a8f614f5c270df512
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/16970
Collections
Stellenbosch University - Scopus Publications