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Author Spotlight: Optimizing CFU Determination for Efficient Assessment of TB Vaccine Efficacy and Antigen Presentation Analysis
Published on: July 28, 2023
Evaluation of rapid methods for diagnosis of tuberculosis in slaughtered free-range pigs
Fernando Cardoso-Toset1, Inmaculada Luque2, Shyrley Paola Amarilla3
1Department of Animal Health, University of Córdoba, International Excellence Agrifood Campus 'CeiA3', University Campus of Rabanales, Córdoba 14071, Spain; CICAP - Food Research Centre, Pozoblanco 14400, Córdoba, Spain.
Abstract:
Free-range pigs can be infected by Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) and may contribute to the spread of bovine tuberculosis (bTB). In the present study, the diagnostic values of bacteriological culture, a duplex real-time quantitative PCR and an antibody ELISA were evaluated in an abattoir study of submandibular lymph nodes and serum samples from 73 pigs with and without lesions consistent with bTB. The duplex qPCR was an accurate method for diagnosis of TB in pigs (specificity 100%; sensitivity 80%). Combining qPCR with histopathology improved sensitivity and had very good concordance (κ = 0.94) with the reference method. Serological results suggest that the antibody ELISA can be used for monitoring herds but not individuals.

