PULLMAN – William Davis, professor in WSU’s Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology department, together with science and industry colleagues has developed an antibody-based test for bovine tuberculosis (bTB).
The new multiplex antibody test is able to detect antibody activity to 25 antigens at one time, something that was previously not possible. The new test may one day replace the current skin and gamma interferon tissue culture tests.
Currently there is no effective treatment for bTB, making early diagnosis critical. This new test can detect the disease faster and with great accuracy.
“Our test can provide results in a matter of hours rather than days with current methods,” Davis said. “It also has increased specificity and is highly sensitive, so there are fewer false positives.”
Early detection allows sick animals to be removed from the herd more quickly, reducing the spread of the disease. Because bTB is also a zoonotic pathogenit can transfer from animals to humansthe test can have important global implications. In underdeveloped countries, animals and humans are particularly vulnerable.
“Bovine TB is a worldwide problem and it can be in a dairy or cattle herd a long time before an animal has symptoms,” Davis said. “It can then spread to the rest of the herd. And if it is in animals, it can transfer to people.”
Davis developed the test along with WSU colleague Mary Jo Hamilton, research associate in the Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology department. Colleagues from Enfer Scientific in Ireland, Fusion Antibodies in Ireland, Ireland’s Department of Agriculture and Food, Central Veterinary Research Lab in Ireland and Quansys Biosciences in Utah also helped with the development.
Enfer Scientific and Ireland’s Department of Agriculture began a trial of the new bTB test in July 2009. Over the next six months they will test 100,000 cattle.
Currently, there is an effort to license this new test in the U.S., which could have a positive effect on the dairy and cattle industries. Though bTB has been under control in the U.S., the disease can be reintroduced to cattle from infected white-tailed deer or elk in some parts of the country. It can also come to the U.S. from cattle imports. England, Ireland, New Zealand and Korea have all been taking steps to control bTB.
“Dr. Davis and his colleagues have made an important advance in diagnostic test development,” said Bryan Slinker, dean of WSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine. “Bovine TB can be devastating to dairy and cattle farmers across the globe, so this new method could have far reaching effects. It is also a good example of the breadth of research expertise we can bring to bear to promote global animal and human health.”
