Development of immune-diagnostic reagents to diagnose bovine tuberculosis in cattle

Abstract

Bovine tuberculosis remains a major economic and animal welfare concern worldwide. As part of control strategies, cattle vaccination is being considered. This approach, used alongside conventional control policies, also requires the development of vaccine compatible diagnostic assays to distinguish infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA). In this review we discuss recent advances in DIVA development based on the detection of host cellular immune responses by blood testing or skin testing approaches.

Keywords: BCG; Cattle; Differential diagnosis; Tuberculosis; Vaccination.