An ELISA Using Synthetic Mycolic Acid-Based Antigens with DIVA Potential for Diagnosing Johne's Disease in Cattle.

The Problem: Ante-mortem diagnosis of Johne's disease, caused by subsp. (MAP), is normally achieved through faecal culture, PCR, or serological tests, but agreement as to which samples are positive for Johne's disease is often poor and sensitivities are low, particularly in early-stage infections. The potential solution: Mycobacterial cells contain very complex characteristic mixtures of mycolic acid derivatives that elicit antibodies during infection; this has been used to detect infections in humans.