Richard Burroughs, 27 Aug 2024 Afternoon all. There have been a number of farms on which buffalo have tested false positive for BTB, with quarantine and subsequent culling of 'positive' animals imposed. In all instances that we are aware of, post mortem examinations could not find lesions. Samples that were taken for culture have not yielded any BTB. Publications in other countries have suggested that it could be the result of the tuberculin that is used. We are trying to establish a research project to determine if this is the case in South Africa. If anyone is aware of a similar situation in SA, and is willing to share the info, please contact me or David Pretorius. Elmien Kotze, [28 Aug 2024 at 07:12:07]: This might not be of importance, but in the dairy industry we use to find the odd reaction when we tested. These had to then be retested according to protocol with comparative bovine and avian tuberculin testing. Usually, they reacted to the avian tuberculin. Also, on farms that had liver fluke infection, we see more false positive results. Farms using chicken litter for feed or compost had more false positives Farms close to large wild bird populations - where more marshy areas are – also showed an increase in false positives. TB is very difficult to culture on post-mortem – this might take up to 2 months and longer. So even if no growth, this cannot be said to be negative. The State veterinarians here test buffalo with both bovine tuberculin and avian tuberculin, so this does reduce false positives, showing an avian tuberculin reaction. We also see reactions if the human 'milkers' had TB, but that is very rare now. And then of course you get lovely skin reactions with dirty or blunt needles, or if it has been raining and the animals are wet and muddy. Richard Burroughs Thanks Elmien. These suspects are undergoing culture, and so far are negative for BTB.
