Comparison of Immunohistochemistry, Acid-Fast Staining, and Cultivation for Detection of Mycobacterium Paratuberculosis in Goats

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Forty-seven paired specimens of ileum and mesenterial lymph nodes from goats originating from 2 herds with paratuberculosis were investigated. Culture of the specimens for Mycobacterium paratuberculosis was compared with Ziehl-Neelsen staining and with immunohistochemical tests on paraffin-embedded tissue sections, using a M. paratuberculosis immune serum and an avidin-biotin-alkaline phosphatase method. Immunohistochemical techniques detected most positive samples and produced more clearly visible reactions than did acid-fast staining. Eighteen of 47 samples were positive by immunohistochemical methods, whereas 15 and 10 were positive for acid-fast staining and culture, respectively. Immunohistochemical techniques may represent a valuable adjunct to standard techniques for diagnosis of paratuberculosis in goats.