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Title: Bovine Tuberculosis: A Review of Current and Emerging Diagnostic Techniques in View of their Relevance for Disease Control and Eradication

Author
item SCHILLER, I - Federal Veterinary Office
item OESCH, B - Prionics Ag
item VORDERMEIER, H - Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA)
item Palmer, Mitchell
item HARRIS, B - US Department Of Agriculture (USDA)
item ORLOSKI, K - US Department Of Agriculture (USDA)
item BUDDLE, B - Agresearch
item Thacker, Tyler
item LYASHCHENKO, K - Chembio Diagnostic Systems, Inc
item Waters, Wade

Submitted to: Transboundary and Emerging Diseases
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/17/2010
Publication Date: 8/1/2010
Citation: Schiller, I., Oesch, B., Vordermeier, H.M., Palmer, M.V., Harris, B.N., Orloski, K.A., Buddle, B.M., Thacker, T.C., Lyashchenko, K.P., Waters, W.R. 2010. Bovine tuberculosis: a review of current and emerging diagnostic techniques in view of their relevance for disease control and eradication. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases. 57(4):205-220.

Interpretive Summary: Despite highly successful eradication efforts in several countries, tuberculosis of cattle remains a serious health concern worldwide. Outbreaks in Michigan, California, and Minnesota continue and new cases have been detected in South Dakota and Indiana; demonstrating that the disease is far from eliminated from the United States. This review article provides an overview of current and emerging bovine tuberculosis testing strategies/tools and a vision for incorporation of emerging technologies into the current control/eradication programs. Knowledge presented in this article will be useful for the dissemination of information critical for the advancement of new strategies to be used in the United States tuberculosis eradication program.

Technical Abstract: Existing strategies for long standing bovine tuberculosis (bTB) control/eradication campaigns are being reconsidered in many countries due to the development of new testing technologies, increased global trade, continued struggle with wildlife reservoirs of bTB, redistribution of international trading partners/agreements, and emerging financial and animal welfare constraints on herd depopulation. Changes under consideration or newly implemented include: additional control measures to limit risks with imported animals, enhanced programs to mitigate wildlife reservoir risks, re-evaluation of options to manage bTB-affected herds/regions, modernization of regulatory framework(s) to re-focus control efforts, and consideration of emerging testing technologies (i.e., improved or new tests) for use in bTB control/eradication programs. Traditional slaughter surveillance and test/removal strategies will likely be augmented by incorporation of new technologies and more targeted control efforts. The present review provides an overview of current and emerging bTB testing strategies/tools and a vision for incorporation of emerging technologies into the current control/eradication programs.