EVALUATION OF AN ELISA FOR MYCOBACTERIUM-BOVIS INFECTION IN BADGERS (MELES-MELES)

The performance of an indirect ELISA for diagnosing Mycobacterium bovi s infection in live badgers was evaluated by examining blood samples c ollected from 1982 badgers captured during statutory badger removal op erations in south west England, The validity of the test and the facto rs affecting the prevalence of infection are described. The sensitivit y of the ELISA was 40.7 per cent, its specificity was 94.3 per cent, t he predictive value of a positive test was 67.5 per cent and the predi ctive value of a negative test was 84.6 per cent, Its sensitivity was significantly higher in males and animals with gross lesions typical o f tuberculosis, The sensitivity and positive predictive values were en hanced when the results were grouped by control operation, Variables o f significance for prevalence were the county, the time of year, the a ge and sex of animal, and the time after the start of a control operat ion, The possible use of the ELISA as a screening test is discussed.