Abstract
Background: “Classical” mycobacterial identification is difficult to perform, time consuming, inefficient and often insensitive. Modern techniques, incorporating molecular methods, may be more rapid, less expensive, more sensitive and more accurate. We prospectively compared “classical” and modern mycobacterial detection techniques.
Methods: A plaque/qPCR study has been published on the blood of a herd of Johne disease (cattle infected with M. avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP.)) Simultaneously aliquots were submitted for “classical” mycobacterial identification. Plaque/qPCR could be completed in <3days. “Classical” cultures were followed for a minimum of 2 years.
Results: Plaque/qPCR MAP positivity were observed in 74% of Johne and 34% of Control animals. “Classical” detection on appropriate culture medium were seen in 19% in Johne disease and 18% Controls.
Conclusions: “Classical” mycobacterial detections methodology has demonstrably been supplanted by modern molecular methods.