A sandwich enzyme immunoassay for bovine interferon‐γ and its use for the detection of tuberculosis in cattle

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Abstract
An in vitro cellular assay for bovine tuberculosis has recently been developed. This assay detects gamma-interferon released in response to specific antigen in a whole blood culture system. The bio-assay previously described for the detection of bovine gamma-interferon (IFN-.gamma.) has now been replaced with a sandwich enzyme immunoassay (EIA) which utilises two monoclonal antibodies to bovine IFN-.gamma.. The EIA detects less than 25pg/ml of recombinant bovine IFN-.gamma. and is specific for biologically active bovine IFN-.gamma.; and does not detect bovine alpha or beta interferon. IFN-.gamma. from sheep, goat and buffalo, but not from pig, deer or man, are also recognised by the EIA. The bovine IFN-.gamma. EIA when used in conjunction with the whole blood culture system has resulted in a simple, rapid and sensitive in vitro assay for specific cell mediated immune responsiveness to Mycobacterium bovis infection in cattle.