DIAGNOSIS OF CONTAGIOUS BOVINE PLEUROPNEU MONIA - PROBLEMS AND NEW DEVELOPMENTS

While it is easy to diagnose contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) in an animal in the acute clinical stage, subacute and chronic forms a re more difficult to diagnose. Recourse to laboratory tests is essenti al to confirm any suspicion of CBPP. As standard diagnostic procedures (isolation, culture, biochemical tests, serological tests) are lackin g in specificity and sensitivity, improvements are needed. Progress in molecular biology techniques has led to new tests, among which are th e polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using monoclonal antibodies. Application of these techni ques to CBPP offers a number of advantages, and has considerably enhan ced the specificity and sensitivity of diagnosis.