Bayesian estimation of diagnostic accuracy of fecal culture and PCR-based tests for the detection of Salmonella enterica in California cull dairy cattle

PeerJ

article

John M. Adaska¹  Pius S. Ekong²  Kristin A. Clothier¹  Deniece R. Williams²  Paul V. Rossitto²  Terry W. Lehenbauer²  Edward R. Atwill⁴  Xunde Li⁴  Sharif S. Aly² 

[1] School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System;School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Veterinary Medicine Teaching and Research Center;Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California;School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Western Institute for Food Safety and Security

关键词: Bayesian;    Diagnostic accuracy;    Sensitivity;    Specificity;    Salmonella;    Dairy cow;    Culture;    PCR;    California;    Feces;   

DOI  :  10.7717/peerj.8310

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Inra

【 摘 要 】

Epidemiological studies of low prevalence disease problems are often hindered by the high cost of diagnostic testing. The objective of this study was to evaluate PCR screening of both individual and pooled fecal samples from culled dairy cows for the invA gene of Salmonella followed by culture to determine if the sensitivity and specificity were comparable to the results from traditional culture methods applied to individual samples. Cows from six different dairies were sampled in all four seasons. A total of 240 individual cow fecal samples, 24 fecal pools and 24 pools of 24-hour tetrathionate enrichment broth were tested. Diagnostic sensitivity of PCR screening followed by culture of PCR positive or indeterminate samples (i.e PCR-CUL method) was lower than that of culture (CUL) when applied to individual fecal samples (94.8%, 99.5%), however the specificity was comparable (99.6% and 97.7% respectively). For pools of five fecal samples and pools of five, 24 h tetrathionate broth samples, the specificity of both tests were comparable (∼98%); however, their sensitivity was only comparable in pooled fecal samples (∼93%) but greater for culture compared to PCR-CUL in pooled broth samples (∼99% versus ∼93%). Compared to culture results from testing of individual fecal samples, testing pooled fecal samples by culture had a relative sensitivity of 74% and relative specificity of 96%, testing pooled fecal samples by PCR-CUL resulted in relative sensitivity of 90% and relative specificity of 96%. Testing of pooled 24-hour enrichment broth by PCR-CUL increased the relative sensitivity and specificity to 100%. PCR testing followed by culture of positive or indeterminate samples is a time saving alternative to traditional methods. In addition, pooling of samples may be a useful method for decreasing cost if study aims can accommodate a moderate loss of relative sensitivity.

【 授权许可】

CC BY