Tuberculin Skin Testing for diagnosis of Bovine Tuberculosis

Mycobacterium bovis is the causative agent of the infectious, widespread disease known as bovine tuberculosis (TB), which can affect both animals and humans. Although it typically has a slow-progressing, chronic nature, it occasionally can take an acute form. Nearly all species of vertebrates are afflicted by the common zoonosis known as tuberculosis (TB). Direct contact, inhalation of droplets released from infected lungs and intake of contaminated feed or milk are the three main ways that disease is conveyed. the tuberculin skin test (TST) also known as single intradermal comparative cervical tuberculin test (SICCT) is the main screening procedure for TB in cattle and buffaloes in field is used to check for TB in cattle, buffalo and other animals around the world. It serves as the globally recognised reference for identifying M. bovis infection in live animals. The conventional procedure involves measuring skin thickness after injecting PPD (Purified Protein Derivative) intradermally with bovine tuberculin into the caudal skin folds on neck and monitoring any swelling that develops at the injection site, 7 days later.