| Title |
Validation of the interferon-g test for diagnosis of ovine Johne's disease: sensitivity and specificity field trials. |
| Author(s) |
Stewart DJ1*,
Stiles PA1,
Whittington RJ2,8,
Lambeth C2,
Windsor PA2,8,
Reddacliff LA2,
McGregor H3,
Dhungyel OP3,
Cousins DV4,
Francis BR4,
Morcombe PW4,
Butler R5,
Salmon DD6,
Jones SL7.
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| Institution(s) |
1 CSIRO Livestock Industries, Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, 3220. 2 NSW Agriculture, Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, Camden NSW 2570. 3 University of Sydney, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Private Bag 3, Camden, NSW 2570. 4 Animal Health Laboratories, Department of Agriculture, South Perth, Western Australia 6151. 5 Department of Agriculture, Merredin, Western Australia 6415. 6 Riverina Rural Lands Protection Board, Deniliquin, NSW 2710. 7 CSL Limited, 45 Poplar Road, Parkville, 3052 Australia. 8 Current address: University of Sydney, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Private Bag 3, Camden, NSW 2570.
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| Source |
Seventh International Colloquium on Paratuberculosis
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| Section |
3:
Immunology
|
| Abstract |
Field trials are underway to validate the interferon-g test for diagnosis of ovine Johne's disease prior to it being considered for endorsement and adoption as an official diagnostic test. The test kits (BOVIGAMTM, PARACHECKTM) and Johnin PPD for these trials are being provided by CSL Limited. The interferon-g test specificity trials will involve 6 flocks of Merino sheep on uninfected properties in New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia. Specificity trials on 2 flocks with 120 sheep and 3 age classes (adult ewes, yearlings and weaned lambs) in each flock have been completed. An interferon-g test sensitivity trial has been conducted in collaboration with NSW Agriculture on an infected commercial Merino flock, containing 146 ewes, with follow-up diagnostic bacterial culture and histopathology at slaughter. The interferon-g test is also being evaluated, in collaboration with the University of Sydney, in a 3 - year longitudinal study on a naturally infected experimental Merino flock of sheep. This trial will provide information on the interferon-g responses of 420 sheep at 6-monthly intervals during the trial period and their final infection status following autopsy. The results of the specificity trials on 2 flocks so far sampled and the sensitivity trial will be discussed. The trials for the validation of the interferon-g test in sheep are being funded by Meat and Livestock Australia.
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