The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association has received $320,000 from the federal government to evaluate new blood tests for bovine tuberculosis.
Canada is considered TB free but wants better surveillance tests that are easier and less expensive to run than the current skin tests.
Skin tests and post mortem inspection of animals at abattoirs do not always detect disease, said Louis Desautels, an animal health consultant to the CCA. The skin test has been used since 1885 and results take three days. A blood test yields same day results.
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“It is a bit subjective and if we could get a blood test to replace it, it would be less subjective,” he said.
Disease surveillance could be changed and border crossings and abattoir tests could be run more quickly.
The three year project is run through the CCA’s Beef Cattle Research Council. Canada has few positive cases to test the kits, so the United States and Mexico will provide samples from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s serum bank at Ames, Iowa.
CFIA scientists will receive the kits for evaluation. If successful, the study will identify one or a combination of tests that are easier and less expensive for regulatory agencies to administer.
“You won’t replace the skin test today, but if you can get where the regulators are involved they will have a better idea of how effective these skin tests are,” said Desautels.
Tuberculosis is a contagious disease caused by an infection in the lymph nodes that spreads to other organs such as the lungs.
It affects practically all mammals and was one of the major diseases of man and domestic animals before control measures were adopted.
