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OJVRTM
Online Journal of Veterinary Research©
Volume 8:16-21, 2004.
Combined use of
g-interferon and
interleukin-2 receptor assays for diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis
Ritelli M, Amadori M, Dondo A, Begni B, Zoppi S, Archetti IL
ABSTRACT
Ritelli M,
Amadori M, Dondo A, Begni B, Zoppi S, Archetti IL. Combined use of g-interferon and interleukin-2 receptor assays for diagnosis
of bovine tuberculosis. Online Journal of Veterinary
Research 8 : 16-21, 2004. The g-interferon assay for
bovine tuberculosis has reached wide acceptance in many countries. Yet,
less than optimal specificity in some areas and a certain percentage of
inconclusive results may affect this diagnostic technique. The problem of
inconclusive results can be approached by a two-stage procedure, whereby
peripheral blood mononuclear cells of g-interferon dubious samples are
later analyzed for expression of the interleukin-2
receptor; this had been validated as a further
alternative marker of cell-mediated immunity in M. bovis-infected
cattle. This way, the two assays are used sequentially on the same blood
samples. As a result, further diagnostic information can be obtained without new blood samplings in the field. The results
of the interleukin-2 receptor assay showed a high correlation with those of the
g-interferon
assay. Instead, there was no clear evidence of increased specificity
under the conditions reported in this study.
KEYWORDS: Cattle, Tuberculosis,
Diagnosis, g-interferon, interleukin-2 receptor