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PCR technology to be used for TB in camelids

 

A great new tool !!

FARMERS GUARDIAN
18 August 2011

A NEW tool in the battle against bovine TB (bTB) is to be deployed in a privately funded project involving alpacas

The Camelid TB Support Group has signed contracts with AHVLA Weybridge to conduct a study that will examine whether PCR testing technology could improve diagnosis of the disease in camelids.

The use of PCR (polymerase chain reaction) technology, a test able to detect genetic markers in bacteria, including all strains of TB, has long been advocated as a possible tool to speed up diagnosis of bTB, particularly in badgers.

In Opposition, Farming Minister Jim Paice suggested that hand held PCR machines could be used to aid ‘local, targeted badger culling’, although more recently he said further analysis had shown it was not sufficiently sensitive or suitable for use in the field.

Nonetheless its use, in albeit limited circumstances on camelids, mainly alpacas, is offering hope to those who believe it could have much wider role to play in bTB diagnosis in future.

The group behind the project, including Somerset-based vet Gina Bromge and Dianne Summers, an alpaca owner from Cornwall, is providing the funding and is looking for further support.

They said the technique had already been used successfully for other similar diseases and that AHVLA microbiologists were ‘hopeful’ that it may be it may be possible to detect M.bovis in faeces, nasal swabs or blood using PCR.

The project will use samples taken from animals culled as part of the Defra TB surveillance programme. The tests will be trialled on camelids that present with visible lesions.

“It is common knowledge that alpacas and llamas can be heavily infected and infectious with bTB and yet show no outward signs or symptoms whatsoever,” the group said.

 “If this project is successful the simplicity of taking a faecal sample or nasal swab to be tested at your local VLA would be a huge step forward.”

They added that if the test proved successful, it could be used in various circumstances, including:

·        Where an alpaca or llama in a herd that was not under TB restrictions showed clinical signs that could be attributed to TB.

·        In herds recently confirmed as infected with M. bovis the test could be used to remove cases which were not picked up by the other ante mortem tests or whilst waiting for culture results or waiting for skin tests and blood tests to be carried out.

·        As a routine screening test. Testing of faeces and nasal swabs will be quick and affordable. Samples can be taken by owners and sent to the AHVLA without the need for a farm visit from their Vet.

An AHVLA spokesman said the trial would establish whether PCR improved diagnosis in camelids. He said it was too early to say whether PCR technology could be used more widely as a diagnostic tool for bTB.

To find out more see http://www.alpacatb.org
 

 

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