Interferon gamma responses to proteome-determined specific recombinant proteins: Potential as diagnostic markers for ovine Johne’s disease

Authors

Valerie Hughes, Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science ParkFollow
Susan Denham, Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park
J. P. Bannantine, USDA-ARS, National Animal Disease CenterFollow
Francesca Chianini, Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park
Karen Kerr, Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park
Linda May, Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park
Joyce McLuckie, Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park
Mintu Nath, James Clerk Maxwell Building, The King’s Building
Karen Stevenson, Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2013

Citation

Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 155 (2013) 197–204

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.vetimm.2013.06.015

Comments

U.S. government works are not subject to copyright.

Abstract

Johne’s disease (JD), or paratuberculosis is a fatal enteritis of animals caused by infection with Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (Map). There may be a long subclinical phase with no signs of clinical disease.

Diagnosis of JD is problematic and no test can reliably detect sub-clinical disease. Th1 responses to Map are believed to be activated first with a later switch to Th2 responses and progression to clinical disease. Detection of a cell-mediated response, indicated by interferon gamma (IFN-􏰁) produced in response to mycobacterial antigens, may give an early indication of infection. Crude extracts of Map (PPDj) have been used to detect the cell-mediated response, but more specific, quantifiable antigens would improve the test.

Thirty Map-specific proteins were screened for their ability to raise a cell-mediated response in subclinically infected sheep. Four proteins were selected and tested using blood from subclinical animals and controls from a JD-free flock. Three proteins elicited IFN-􏰁 levels which were higher in the subclinical group than in the control group, two were statistically significant. Thus these proteins have the ability to discriminate groups of infected and uninfected animals and may have use in diagnosis of JD.