The aim of the present study was to evaluate the use of an immunochromatographic test (ICT) strip using recombinant MPB70 (rMPB70) protein as a complementary tool for the diagnosis of naturally occurring tuberculosis in cattle. The study was performed on 249 cattle from populations known to be free from Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) and 119 cattle with M. bovis infection, confirmed postmortem. Compared to reference standards (culture isolation and/or visible lesion), the sensitivity of ICT was 94.12% (95% CI: 89.89∼98.35%) while the specificity was 96.80% (95% CI; 94.62∼96.82%). The findings indicate that the ICT strip is efficient for diagnosing bovine tuberculosis in cattle from Korea.

Abstract
 INTRODUCTION
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
  Animals and serum samples
  Bacteriology
  Principle and procedure of the ICT
  Data analysis
 RESULTS
  Sensitivity and specificity of the ICT strip
  Association between ICT results and BTB status
 DISCUSSION
 REFERENCES

• Jae Myung Kim(Bacterial Disease Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency) Corresponding Author
• Dong-hyuk Kim(Research Unit, BIONOTE)
• Jung-Ho Kim(Research Unit, BIONOTE)
• Bong Kwan Choi(Bacterial Disease Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency)
• Suk Chan Jung(Bacterial Disease Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency)
• Hyun Sub Byun(Chungbuk Institute and Veterinary Research)
• Shin-seok Kang(Chungbuk Institute and Veterinary Research)
• Yoonra Jang(Bacterial Disease Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency)
• Narae Kim(Bacterial Disease Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency)
• Yun-Ho Jang(Bacterial Disease Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency)
• Soyoon Ryoo(Bacterial Disease Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency)