Post-Mortem Testing
Post mortem testing of gut and lymph node tissue samples of
study farm animals was carried out as a PhD project at the University of
Glasgow to assess whether testing in the abattoir is a feasible method of
monitoring infection in a herd.
The abattoir samples were examined for evidence of MAP
infection and compared with the results from live animal testing:
Histopathology |
||||
Negative |
Positive |
Total |
||
ELISA |
Negative |
256 |
5 |
261 |
Non-negative |
66 |
25 |
91 |
|
Total |
322 |
30 |
352 |
Abattoir sampling is limited by the logistics of organising
abattoir visits to collect samples from particular animals. It has been useful to screen for the presence
of MAP within a herd, demonstrating its continuing presence despite sustained
efforts with control programmes. However
it is questionable whether this method can be seen as a “gold standard” in
detecting the disease in pre-clinically infected animals, and it will not make
informed culling decisions on farm any easier in low prevalence herds.
.