Abstract
The most widely used ante-mortem diagnostic tests for tuberculosis in cattle are the tuberculin skin test and the interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) release assay, both of which measure cell-mediated immune responses to Mycobacterium bovis infection. However, limitations in the performance of these tests results in a failure to identify all infected animals. In attempting to increase the range of diagnostic tests for tuberculosis, measurement of the cytokine IP-10 in antigen-stimulated blood has previously been shown to improve the detection of M. tuberculosis and M. bovis infection, in humans and African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer), respectively. In the present study, 60 cattle were identified by the single intradermal comparative tuberculin test as tuberculosis reactors (n = 24) or non-reactors (n = 36) and the release of IFN-γ and IP-10 in antigen-stimulated whole blood from these animals was measured using bovine specific ELISAs. There was a strong correlation between IP-10 and IFN-γ production in these samples. Moreover, measurement of the differential release of IP-10 in response to stimulation with M. bovis purified protein derivative (PPD) and M. avium PPD distinguished between reactor and non-reactor cattle with a sensitivity of 100% (95% CI, 86%–100%) and a specificity of 97% (95% CI, 85%–100%). These results suggest that IP-10 might prove valuable as a diagnostic biomarker of M. bovis infection in cattle.
Highlights
Mycobacterium bovis is the principle causative agent of bovine tuberculosis, a chronic granulomatous disease that can result in reduced productivity and death in cattle
Following incubation for 24 h, interferon gammainduced protein 10 (IP-10) release in blood stimulated with PPDb and PC-EC peptides was significantly greater when compared with that released in blood incubated with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) (Fig 1a)
At this time-point, all 12 bovine tuberculosis (bTB)-positive animals showed greater IP-10 release in response to PPDb stimulation compared to PPDa stimulation while 11/ 12 animals showed greater IP-10 release in PC-EC peptide-stimulated blood compared with unstimulated blood (Fig 1a)
Summary
Mycobacterium bovis is the principle causative agent of bovine tuberculosis (bTB), a chronic granulomatous disease that can result in reduced productivity and death in cattle. Because M. bovis-infected animals are a potential source of infection for humans the disease is subject to comprehensive control measures in order to limit both zoonotic transmission and economic losses. Such control is typically based on test-and-slaughter schemes, which require the accurate diagnosis of infected animals. IP-10 as a Biomarker of Bovine Tuberculosis
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
