Abstract
BackgroundBovine tuberculosis (bTB) remains a significant problem in some parts of Spain largely because of contacts between cattle and wildlife reservoirs in extensive grazing systems. European Wild boar (Sus scrofa) is one of the species involved in the transmission of the disease to other species. Fast and simple detection methods would be critical for assessing infection prevalence, study the mechanisms of pathogen transmission and monitoring the effects of TB control measures.ResultsAn enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect antibodies against Mycobacterium bovis in wild boar serum was developed and validated on 185 sera from TB positive and negative wild boar. Based on antigen inoculation of captive animals as well as tuberculosis compatible lesions, culture results and molecular analysis of hunted individuals, animals were allocated into two groups: tuberculosis positive group and tuberculosis negative group. After optimization of the positive to negative ratio using different combinations of serum dilutions and conjugate concentrations, the test yielded a sensitivity of 72.60% and a specificity of 96.43% for the best cut-off.ConclusionAlthough some negative group animals showed an ELISA positive reaction (< 3%), this assay showed a high potential for accurate diagnosis of TB in wild boar, as its large dynamic range supported a good discriminatory power and a satisfactory balance between sensitivity and specificity.
Highlights
Bovine tuberculosis remains a significant problem in some parts of Spain largely because of contacts between cattle and wildlife reservoirs in extensive grazing systems
Wild animals become increasingly important in the spread and maintenance of M. bovis infection, especially when the efforts to eradicate the disease in livestock have reduced its incidence in domestic cattle [2,4]
We conclude that the use of the serological enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test developed may contribute to the diagnosis of TB in wild boar and probably in pigs, with an acceptable sensitivity and specificity and without the need to handle the animals twice as in the skin test
Summary
Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) remains a significant problem in some parts of Spain largely because of contacts between cattle and wildlife reservoirs in extensive grazing systems. Bovine tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium bovis and other closely related mycobacteria of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, is endemic in many countries These mycobacteria can infect a wide range of domestic and wild animals [1,2,3]. In Spain, TB prevalence is relatively low in cattle (0.42 in 2006), but the infection persists in other livestock including goats and free-ranging swine, and there is a wide range of wild animal species susceptible to this disease [11]. The most usual technique is the hypersensitivity test, based on the intradermal injection of raw antigens [19,20,21] This skin testing technique, described by Robert Koch, is still the most widely used tuberculosis diagnostic method in livestock. Skin tests have a limited sensitivity, and non specific reactions may occur in animals sensitized by mycobacteria other than those of the M. tuberculosis complex [24,25]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
