Bayesian accuracy estimates for diagnostic tests to detect tuberculosis in captive sun bears (Helarctos malayanus) and Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) in Cambodia and Vietnam.

Effective control of tuberculosis (TB) depends on early diagnosis of disease, yet available tests are unable to perfectly detect infected individuals. In novel hosts diagnostic testing methods for TB are extrapolated from other species, with unknown accuracy. The primary challenge to evaluating the accuracy of TB tests is the lack of a perfect reference test.

"Spotting" infection in leopards () - novel application of diagnostic tools.

Background: () is the causative agent of animal tuberculosis (TB) which poses a threat to many of South Africa's most iconic wildlife species, including leopards (). Due to limited tests for wildlife, the development of accurate ante-mortem tests for TB diagnosis in African big cat populations is urgently required. The aim of this study was to evaluate currently available immunological assays for their ability to detect infection in leopards.

Rapid Point-of-Care Tests Using Staphylococcal Protein A Can Detect Early IgM Responses in HIV-1 and Treponema pallidum Infections.

Serological assays detecting IgM antibodies in addition to IgG antibodies have a diagnostic advantage in finding early infections. Staphylococcal protein A (SpA), widely used as an antibody-detecting reagent in various immunoassays, is considered to have a high binding affinity mainly to IgG, although its interaction with other classes of immunoglobulins has also been documented. Using 28 samples from 22 HIV-1 seroconversion panels, the present study demonstrated detection of early IgM antibodies by SpA-based rapid point-of-care tests, including DPP HIV 1/2, DPP HIV-Syphilis, STAT-PAK HIV 1/2, and Sure Check HIV 1/2.

Differential detection of IgM and IgG antibodies to chimeric antigens in bovine tuberculosis.

Recent studies have suggested the potential of innovative serologic tests for accurate and rapid detection of bovine tuberculosis (bTB). Dual Path Platform (DPP) technology has been used to develop rapid animal-side antibody tests for Mycobacterium bovis infection in a range of livestock and wildlife host species. The present study evaluated diagnostic performance of DPP BovidTB IgM/IgG assay designed for differential detection of bovine IgM and IgG antibodies against two chimeric antigens, DID38 and TBf2, respectively, using 662 well-characterized serum samples from M.

Potential for improved detection of bovine tuberculosis by targeting combined blood biomarkers in multi-test algorithms.

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) control programs can be improved by combined use of tests for humoral and cell-mediated immune responses targeting multiple biomarkers of Mycobacterium bovis. To further the diagnostic benefits of this approach, we used Dual Path Platform (DPP) technology to test sera from cattle with naturally acquired bTB in the United States (US) and Spain for the presence of M. bovis antigen, IgM and/or IgG antibodies to MPB70/MPB83 fusion antigen in conjunction with tuberculin skin tests (TST) or interferon-gamma release assays (IGRA).

Experimental Infection of Captive Red Foxes () with .

In Europe, animal tuberculosis (TB) due to involves multi-host communities that include cattle and wildlife species, such as wild boar (), badgers () and red deer (). Red fox () infections have also been recently reported in some TB endemic regions in the Iberian Peninsula and France, with some of the infected animals shedding in urine and feces. In order to understand the pathogenesis of infection in foxes and the associated risk of transmission, 12 captive foxes (6 females and 6 males) were inoculated orally with 2 × 10 colony-forming units of a French field isolate of .

ASSESSMENT OF MULTIANTIGEN PRINT IMMUNOASSAY AND RAPID LATERAL-FLOW TEST FOR THE DETECTION OF INFECTION IN MALAYAN TAPIR ().

A multiantigen print immunoassay (MAPIA) and rapid test (RT) developed and validated for detection of mycobacterial antibodies in elephants ( and ) was assessed in Malayan tapir (). Retrospective analysis of banked serum from one infected and seven presumably uninfected tapir was performed by MAPIA and RT. A sample collected 2 mon prior to the death of a culture-confirmed -infected tapir served as a positive control.

Novel polyprotein antigens designed for improved serodiagnosis of bovine tuberculosis.

Recent studies have demonstrated potential for serologic assays to improve surveillance and control programs for bovine tuberculosis. Due to the animal-to-animal variation of the individual antibody repertoires observed in bovine tuberculosis, it has been suggested that serodiagnostic sensitivity can be maximized by use of multi-antigen cocktails or genetically engineered polyproteins expressing immunodominant B-cell epitopes. In the present study, we designed three novel multiepitope polyproteins named BID109, TB1f, and TB2f, with each construct representing a unique combination of four full-length peptides of Mycobacterium bovis predominantly recognized in bovine tuberculosis.

Use of blood matrices and alternative biological fluids for antibody detection in animal tuberculosis.

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) control programs can be improved by implementation of advanced ante-mortem testing algorithms. Serodiagnostic methods using traditional blood or blood-derived specimens may benefit from the use of less invasive alternative biological fluids, provided those mirror systemic antibody responses. In the present study, we used Dual Path Platform (DPP) and Multiantigen Print Immunoassay (MAPIA) to compare antibody levels in ten sample types including whole blood (fresh and hemolyzed), plasma (fresh and leftover from Bovigam testing), serum, saliva, broncho-alveolar lavage, urine, diaphragm extract, and bile collected from cattle aerosol-infected with Mycobacterium bovis.

Review of Diagnostic Tests for Detection of Infection in South African Wildlife.

Wildlife tuberculosis is a major economic and conservation concern globally. Bovine tuberculosis (bTB), caused by (), is the most common form of wildlife tuberculosis. In South Africa, to date, infection has been detected in 24 mammalian wildlife species.

Diagnosis of Mycobacterium bovis infection in free-ranging common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius).

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB), caused by Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) infection, is a multi-host disease which negatively affects the wildlife industry, with adverse consequences for conservation, ecotourism, and game/wildlife sales. Although interspecies transmission has been reported between some wildlife hosts, the risk of spread in complex ecosystems is largely unknown.

Antibody responses in European bison (Bison bonasus) naturally infected with Mycobacterium caprae.

Mycobacterium caprae, a member of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, infects humans and animals causing lesions and disease like that of Mycobacterium bovis. The aim of this study was to evaluate antibody responses in European Bison (EB, Bison bonasus; a vulnerable species) naturally infected with M. caprae using dual path platform (DPP) BovidTB test and multi-antigen print immunoassay (MAPIA).

Strong antibody responses to Mycobacterium bovis infection in domestic pigs and potential for reliable serodiagnostics.

Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis), the main cause of animal tuberculosis (TB), can infect a wide variety of domestic and wild animal species, including suids. Suids may serve as reservoir hosts or disease sentinels in different scenarios.

Biopsy and Tracheobronchial Aspirates as Additional Tools for the Diagnosis of Bovine Tuberculosis in Living European Bison ().

The diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis (BTB) in living wildlife remains a complex problem, and one of particular importance in endangered species like European bison (). To identify infection and avoid the unnecessary culling of such valuable individuals, current best practice requires the collection and culture of material from living animals, as mycobacteria isolation remains the gold standard in BTB diagnosis. However, such isolation is challenging due to the need for the immobilization and collection of appropriate clinical material, and because of the sporadic shedding of mycobacteria.

Memory B cells and tuberculosis.

Immunological memory is a central feature of adaptive immunity. Memory B cells are generated upon stimulation with antigen presented by follicular dendritic cells in the peripheral lymphoid tissues. This process typically involves class-switch recombination and somatic hypermutation and it can be dependent or independent on germinal centers or T cell help.

Differential antigen recognition by serum antibodies from three bovid hosts of Mycobacterium bovis infection.

Cattle, bison and buffaloes are susceptible to Mycobacterium bovis, the causative agent for bovine tuberculosis. Accurate and timely identification of infected animals is critical for improved management and control of disease in these species. Bovids develop humoral immune responses to M.

TUBERCULOSIS CAUSED BY IN A GREATER ONE-HORNED RHINOCEROS (): FIRST REPORT IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE.

, a newly identified member of the complex, has been isolated predominantly from hoofstock in eastern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, and sporadically in cattle (), rhesus monkeys (), humans, and a greater one-horned rhinoceros () in South Asia. In rhinoceros, tuberculosis typically presents as a chronic progressive respiratory disease. The report describes the postmortem diagnosis of tuberculosis caused by in a greater one-horned rhinoceros with hind limb paresis due to neural granulomatosis.

Transboundary tuberculosis: Importation of alpacas infected with Mycobacterium bovis from the United Kingdom to Poland and potential for serodiagnostic assays in detecting tuberculin skin test false-negative animals.

The present study highlights the transboundary nature of tuberculosis (TB) in alpacas and the failure of current antemortem testing protocols to identify TB-free alpaca herds and individuals for exportation. The tuberculin skin test (TST) failed to identify Mycobacterium bovis-infected animals prior to movement from the United Kingdom (UK) to Poland. This study describes the use of four serological assays [Enferplex Camelid TB, dual-path platform (DPP) VetTB and BovidTB assays, and multi-antigen print immunoassays (MAPIAs)] to detect TB in an alpaca herd with negative TST results.

Serological reactivity to MPB83 and CFP10/ESAT-6 antigens in three suid hosts of Mycobacterium bovis infection.

Domestic pigs and wild suids are susceptible to Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) infection and may even serve as reservoir hosts in some situations. Therefore, detection of infected animals is important for understanding their role in the epidemiology of the disease as well as for management and control of bovine tuberculosis.

Seroprevalence of Complex in Free-ranging African Elephants () in Kruger National Park, South Africa.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a pathogenic disease that affects a range of wildlife species, including African elephants (). The recent discovery of fatal disease caused by infection with in a bull elephant in the Kruger National Park (KNP), which is a bovine TB endemic area, emphasizes the importance this disease could have on both wild and captive elephant populations globally. Elephants with culture-confirmed TB have previously been shown to produce strong antibody-responses before the mycobacteria can be isolated.

IN FREE-RANGING LIONS () - EVALUATION OF SEROLOGICAL AND TUBERCULIN SKIN TESTS FOR DETECTION OF INFECTION AND DISEASE.

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB), caused by infection, causes morbidity and mortality in free-ranging lions in bTB-endemic areas of South Africa. However, the only currently used diagnostic test is the tuberculin skin test (TST). This test is logistically challenging to perform because it requires immobilization of lions twice in a 72-hr period.

Fatal Tuberculosis in a Free-Ranging African Elephant and One Health Implications of Human Pathogens in Wildlife.

Tuberculosis (TB) in humans is a global public health concern and the discovery of animal cases of (Mtb) infection and disease, especially in multi-host settings, also has significant implications for public health, veterinary disease control, and conservation endeavors. This paper describes a fatal case of Mtb disease in a free-ranging African elephant () in a high human TB burden region. Necropsy revealed extensive granulomatous pneumonia, from which Mtb was isolated and identified as a member of LAM3/F11 lineage; a common lineage found in humans in South Africa.

OUTBREAK OF MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS IN A HERD OF CAPTIVE ASIAN ELEPHANTS ( ELEPHAS MAXIMUS): ANTEMORTEM DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT, AND LESSONS LEARNED.

Tuberculosis (TB) was diagnosed in four Asian elephants ( Elephas maximus) in a zoo in the United States. The first case was detected by isolation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis during routine trunk wash (TW) culture testing of a herd of eight elephants. Retrospective antibody analyses revealed seroconversion 1 yr before diagnosis.

Development of a Multidimensional Proteomic Approach to Detect Circulating Immune Complexes in Cattle Experimentally Infected With .

To evaluate a high-resolution method to identify pathogen-specific biomarkers in serum of calves infected with . Serum samples from four calves infected with were collected before and after infection at weeks 9, 14, 15, 31, and 36. Immune-complex-associated mycobacterial antigens in the serum were enriched using an immunochromatography method termed, dual path platform (DPP).

Spectrum of antibody profiles in tuberculous elephants, cervids, and cattle.

Using multi-antigen print immunoassay and DPP VetTB Assay approved in the United States for testing captive cervids and elephants, we analyzed antibody recognition of MPB83 and CFP10/ESAT-6 antigens in Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), fallow deer (Dama dama), elk (Cervus elaphus), and cattle (Bos taurus) infected with Mycobacterium bovis. Serum IgG reactivity to MPB83 was found in the vast majority of tuberculous cattle and cervid species among which white-tailed deer and elk also showed significant CFP10/ESAT-6 recognition rates with added serodiagnostic value. In contrast, the infected elephants developed antibody responses mainly to CFP10/ESAT-6 with MPB83 reactivity being relatively low.