Clinical sensitivity and specificity of a quantitative PCR assay for bovine genital campylobacteriosis in bulls

Bovine genital campylobacteriosis occurs worldwide wherever natural service is used. The disease is transmitted by carrier bulls and characterized by early pregnancy loss and infertility. Despite the challenge of maintaining viability of the Campylobacter fetus subsp venerealis (Cfv) during transport and avoiding overgrowth of contaminants, culture remains the "gold standard". Several PCR tests have been developed for the detection of Cfv, and primers VenSF/VenSR have been extensively tested and recognized worldwide. Recently, our research group at WCVM adapted these primers to a SYER Green qPCR platform. This assay presents a high analytical sensitivity and provides a fast and effective technique, suitable to be used as a screening test for the detection of carrier bulls. The objective of the present study was to determine the clinical sensitivity and specificity of the RT-PCR assay in direct preputial samples.
American Association of Bovine Practitioners Proceedings of the Annual Conference, 2012