Cellular immunity techniques in human and bovine tuberculosis diagnosis

Abstract

Tuberculosis is an endemic, bacterial, specific, transmissible, widespread disease. It evaluates chronically, leading to significant fatality rates if incorrectly treated. WHO reports in 2009 close to 9 million new cases and 2 million deaths attributable to tuberculosis worldwide. Animal tuberculosis is a major zoonosis. Its incidence is increasing and poses a major public health threat to humans. These data make the need for more efficient diagnostic tools vital. New cellular immunity tests for human and bovine tuberculosis are available, such as: gamma interferon (Quantiferon TB GOLD in humans and BOVIGAM test in bovines), the blastic transformation test, the in vitro leukocyte migration inhibition test, the phagocytosis test, immunoglobulin and circulating immune complexes dosing. These tests are applicable to all average equipped laboratories.