Detection of Mycobacterium bovis infection in skin test-negative cattle with an assay for bovine interferon-gamma
Neill, S.D.; Cassidy, J.; Hanna, J.; Mackie, D.P.; Pollock, J.M.; Clements, A.; Walton, E.; Bryson, D.G.
Veterinary Record 135(6): 134-135
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 7975105 Document Number: 435613
M. bovis was isolated from respiratory secretions and lymph nodes from 15 skin test-negative cattle which showed interferon-gamma responses. These field cases, identified by blood testing, constituted a significant proportion of skin test-negative cattle which had been subjected to extensive PM examinations. Typical tuberculous lesions were found in 7 of them. The consequence of cattle with early tuberculosis infection not being detected by traditional tuberculin testing are considered.