Can Bulk Milk Revolutionise TB Testing?

Defra对英国牛结核病（bTB）战略的审查承认bTB是英国最紧迫的动物健康问题。Enferplex牛结核抗体检测是一种用于检测血清和牛奶中bTB的多重ELISA检测，由三家公司合作开发：SureFarm Ltd，Synergy Farm Health Ltd（英格兰）的子公司，MV Diagnostics Ltd该测试显示出对散装牛奶中bTB检测的高灵敏度和特异性。使用散装牛奶作为监测工具为控制结核病提供了重要的机会，通过更容易的监测和更好的控制降低了农场和纳税人的成本。该测试正在评估过程中，以获得世界动物卫生办公室的批准，如果接受，将要求英国政府对任何牛群检测阳性实施强制性限制。因此，有一个机会之窗，以发展的价值，该测试将带来bTB控制在英国的理解，没有风险的乳制品行业和个别farm.We计划在GB范围内，纵向研究的结果，测试散装牛奶与Enferplex bTB抗体测试。具体而言，本研究将侧重于：1。从目前限制饲养的牛群中获得的检测结果。虽然已经为OIE提交的文件阐明了检测的灵敏度，但这是基于单个时间点，重复检测可能会提高灵敏度。有多少目前被指定为官方无结核病（OTF）的牛群将通过测试确定为阳性。了解血清阳性和/或阳性抗原数量与牛群bTB状态之间的关系。了解血清阳性和/或阳性抗原反应数量变化的预测价值，以跟踪牛群bTB控制措施的进展或其他情况。任一参数的水平下降可能表明牛群正在走向无疾病;反之亦然，水平上升可能表明当前的行动未能控制牛群已经受到限制的疾病。了解该测试是否可用作低风险OTF牛群的监测工具。该项目得到了全国农民联盟（NFU）和英国牛兽医协会（BCVA）的全力支持。

A Defra review of UK bovine tuberculosis (bTB) strategy acknowledged bTB as the most pressing animal health problem in the UK.The Enferplex Bovine TB Antibody Test is a multiplex ELISA test for the detection of bTB in serum and milk, developed as a collaboration between three companies: SureFarm Ltd, a subsidiary of Synergy Farm Health Ltd (England), MV Diagnostics Ltd (Scotland) and Enfer Scientific ULC, part of Enfer Group (Eire).The test shows high sensitivity and specificity for the detection of bTB in bulk milk. The use of bulk milk as a surveillance tool offers significant opportunities in the control of TB, reducing costs to both farm and taxpayer through easier surveillance and improved control.The test is in the process of evaluation for approval by the World Office of Animal Health, which if accepted would require the UK Government to place mandatory restrictions on any herd testing positive. Therefore, there is a window of opportunity to develop understanding of the value that the test would bring to bTB control in the UK, without risk to the dairy industry and individual farms.We plan a GB wide, longitudinal study on the outcomes of testing bulk milk with the Enferplex bTB Antibody Test. Specifically, the study will focus on:1\. Test results obtained from herds currently under restriction. While the sensitivity of the test has already been elucidated for the OIE submission, this was based on a single time point and repeating the test may enhance sensitivity.2\. How many herds currently designated Officially Tuberculosis Free (OTF) would be determined positive by the test.3\. Understanding the relationship between seropositivity and/or the number of positive antigens and herd bTB status.4\. Understanding the predictive value of changes in seropositivity and/or the number of positive antigen reactions for tracking progress, or otherwise, of herd bTB control measures. Falling levels of either parameter may suggest a herd moving towards disease freedom; vice versa, rising levels may indicate that current actions are failing to control disease where the herd is already under restriction.5\. Understanding whether the test could be used as a monitoring tool for low risk OTF herds.The project has the full support of the National Farmers Union (NFU) and the British Cattle Veterinary Association (BCVA).