INVITRO LYMPHOCYTE-TRANSFORMATION AS A HERD SURVEY METHOD FOR BOVINE PARA-TUBERCULOSIS

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 39  (4) , 591-595
Abstract
The lymphocyte-transformation (LT) test was evaluated for its potential application as a field test for bovine paratuberculosis. Using a whole blood technique, samples from 3 consecutive collection periods were subjected to 3 mycobacterial antigens and to phytohemagglutinin. Results obtained from LT were compared with conventional serologic and cultural methods. A positive LT response to johnin purified-protein derivative (PPD) or avain PPD (or both) was noted in 40-60% of animals tested. The complement-fixation test yielded 4-6.7% positive results, the immunodiffusion test between 1.2-1.4% and the direct fecal culture between 2.4-6%. The mean of stimulation indices of all positively responding animals was highest with johnin PPD. Specific stimulation to mammalian PPD occurred between 2.4-6% of the animals. Efficacy of the LT test for determining incidence of infection with Mycobacterium paratuberculosis is discussed.