ARS | Publication request: COMPARISON OF SKIN TESTING AND THE GAMMA-INTERFERON ASSAY FOR DIAGNOSIS OF BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS

Submitted to: International Symposium on Bovine Tuberculosis in Animals and Humans
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: May 11, 1995
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: The primary test used by most countries for diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis is the intradermal skin test. An in vitro cellular assay, based on detection of gamma-interferon produced by lymphocytes stimulated with antigens of Mycobacterium bovis, was recently developed in Australia. Studies to compare the sensitivity and specificity of these tests have been nconducted in several countries including Australia, Ireland, and the Unite States. Sensitivity and specificity values for the skin test range from 65.6% to 95% and 96% to 98.8%, respectively. Likewise, sensitivity and specificity estimates of the gamma-interferon assay range from 55.4% to 93.6% and 86% to 98.1%, respectively.