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Relation between serologic response and pathologic findings in sheep with naturally acquired paratuberculosis
V Pérez1, J Tellechea, J J Badiola
1Departamento de Patología Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, Spain.
American Journal of Veterinary Research
|August 1, 1997
Summary
Agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) shows a strong correlation with paratuberculosis lesions in sheep. AGID is recommended for diagnosing paratuberculosis in live sheep and for control programs.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Immunology
- Pathology
Background:
- Paratuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease in sheep, characterized by progressive weight loss.
- Accurate diagnostic tools are crucial for managing paratuberculosis outbreaks in sheep flocks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the relationship between paratuberculosis lesions and serological responses in sheep.
- To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) and ELISA for paratuberculosis in sheep.
Main Methods:
- Examined 134 adult sheep with a history of chronic weight loss.
- Collected blood samples for serum analysis before euthanasia.
- Performed AGID and ELISA using Mycobacterium paratuberculosis protoplasmic antigen, validated against histopathology.
Main Results:
- 46.3% of sheep exhibited paratuberculosis lesions.
- AGID detected antibodies in 37.1% of sheep with lesions; ELISA detected antibodies in 48.4% of sheep with lesions.
- ELISA yielded false positives in 11.1% of sheep without lesions, whereas AGID showed no false positives.
Conclusions:
- A significant correlation exists between pathological findings, particularly acid-fast bacilli in intestinal lesions, and serological test results, especially AGID.
- AGID is a reliable, specific diagnostic tool for paratuberculosis in live sheep, suitable for control programs due to its accuracy and ease of use compared to fecal culture.