NON SPECIFIC SEROLOGICAL REACTIONS IN BOVINE BRUCELLOSIS. DEVELOPMENT OF DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS FOR DIFFERENTIATION BETWEEN BRUCELLOSIS AND INFECTION DUE TO YERSINIA ENTEROCOLITICA O:9

Objective

Background :

Bovine brucellosis (BB) has been eradicated in most parts of Northern EU countries but herds must be monitored continously for the potential presence of the disease. An unacceptable prevalence of the infection persists in certain areas of EU member states. A high level of non-specific reactions to serological tests has recently emerged in several countries. Another bacteria, Yersinia enterocolitica O:9 (YO9), seems to be responsible for these cross-reactions. Unnecessary restrictions, waste of resources, genetic losses, failure to control the disease, as well as trade restrictions are some of the consequences of this situation.

The objective is :

This proposal aims at developing diagnostic tests able to differentiate infection by
Brucella abortus (BA) from infection by YO9. Blood tests based either on cellular or
humoral immunity detecting only the anti-BA response as well as tests to detect
specifically infections due to YO9 will be developed.

Short description of the project :

The project will consist of 7 main tasks:
- Development of a bovine gamma-interferon enzyme immunoassay for Brucella;
- Development of ELISA tests specific to Brucella;
- Development of an indirect ELISA using antigens specific to Yersinia;
- Development of immunoaffinity enrichment to improve direct bacteriological
isolation of Yersinia;
- Development of a polymerase chain reaction-gene probe detection system
specific for pathogenic strains of Yersinia;
- Experimental infection of cattle;
- Field trials.

Fields of science

• natural sciences › biological sciences › microbiology › bacteriology
• agricultural sciences › animal and dairy science › domestic animals › animal husbandry
• engineering and technology › medical engineering › medical laboratory technology › laboratory samples analysis
• natural sciences › biological sciences › biochemistry › biomolecules › proteins › enzymes

Programme(s)

• FP4-FAIR - Specific research, technological development and demonstration programme in the field of agriculture and fisheries (including agro-industry, food technologies, forestry, aquaculture and rural development), 1994-1998

Topic(s)

• 4.4.2 - Animal health

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

CENTRE NATIONAL D'ETUDES VETERINAIRES ET ALIMENTAIRES

Address

Rue Pierre Curie, 22
94703 Maisons-alfort Cedex
France

Participants (7)

ECOLE NATIONAL VETERINAIRE D'ALFORT

France

Address

Av. Du General De Gaulle, 7
94704 Maisons-alfort

FACULTES UNIVERSITAIRES NOTRE-DAME DE LA PAIX

Belgium

Address

Rue De Bruxelles, 61
5000 Namur

I.D. - D.L.O. - INSTITUTE FOR ANIMAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH RESEARCH

Netherlands

Address

Edelhertweg, 15
8219 PH Lelystad

I.N.R.A. - CENTRE DE RECHERCHE DE TOURS

France

Address

37380 Nouzilly

INSTITUT NATIONAL DE RECHERCHES VETERINAIRES

Belgium

Address

Groeselenberg, 99
1180 Bruxelles

MAFF Central Veterinary Laboratory

United Kingdom

Address

Woodham Lane New Haw Addlestone
KT15 3NB Weybridge

RHONE MERIEUX S.A.

France

Address

Rue Marcel Merieux, 254 - B.p. 7009
69342 Lyon