Introduction to the test
Please click on the relevant link below to understand how the scheme will operate under the different scenarios for voluntary testing.
Herd Level Testing
Camelid owners undertaking Voluntary Routine Bovine TB Surveillance (VRS) as part of a scheme promoted by the industry
Routine surveillance of the herd will be provided by annual whole herd blood testing (in large herds a statistically derived proportion will be acceptable) utilising the Enferplex antibody test (and interpretation using SureFarm's statistical package) across the UK and Europe.
Outline of process
- Application for Voluntary Routine Surveillance or annual retest reminder date due and is notified by SureFarm to owners veterinary practice.
- Owners veterinary surgeon contacts SureFarm to notify requirement to test – click here for detail on how to apply and the rules governing the scheme
- Blood testing is performed – click here for the required testing and sampling protocols
- Samples despatched for testing using the Enferplex test
- Results are analysed using the statistical package and reported to the owners veterinary surgeon – click here for how results are analysed and reported
What is the process following outcome of testing?
All test results negative: No action other than to schedule next test
If any animals are found test positive then either: –
(a) Where herd defined as positive at confidence level agreed with DEFRA on the statistical package, then SureFarm to pass details to APHA. The clients veterinary surgeon will be informed to notify their local APHA office. This APHA office will decide on appropriate actions on the test positive animals, based on the herd’s location, biosecurity and TB testing history.
(b) If inconclusive, there should be isolation of the inconclusive animals and a re-test performed within 30 days of the original test. If boosting did not occur at the disclosing test again we would fully recommend that prior to the retest that these inconclusive animals are tuberculin boosted. If all these animals are negative on re-testing, then the herd is considered clear and the herd would revert to routine annual surveillance testing. If any positives are found on the antibody re-test, then SureFarm to pass details to APHA. The clients veterinary surgeon will be informed to notify their local APHA office. This APHA office will decide on appropriate actions on the test positive animals, based on the herd’s location, bio-security and TB testing history.
Please click here to understand what will be defined as inconclusive.
Domestic movements (e.g. showing, purchase or matings)
- Owners veterinary surgeon contacts Surefarm to notify requirement to test – click here for detail on how to apply and the rules governing the scheme
- Blood testing is performed – click here for the required sampling protocol
- Samples despatched for testing using the Enferplex test
- Results are analysed using the statistical package and reported to the owners veterinary surgeon. In reality given in this scenario there is only likely to be small numbers of animals being tested, any positive result is likely to be seen as significant1 .
Recommendations
It is recommended that individual alpacas attending shows are tested prior to the first show and then kept in on-farm isolation until the end of the show season.
What is the process following outcome of testing
- All test results negative: No action other than to schedule the next test
- If any animals are found test positive then either: –
(a) Where the results are defined as positive at confidence level agreed with DEFRA on the statistical package, then SureFarm to pass details to APHA. The clients veterinary surgeon will be informed to notify their local APHA office. This APHA office will decide on appropriate actions on the test positive animals, based on the herd’s location, biosecurity and TB testing history.
(b) If inconclusive1, there should isolation of the inconclusive animals and a re-test performed within 30 days of the original test. If boosting did not occur at the disclosing test again we would fully recommend that prior to the retest that these inconclusive animals are tuberculin boosted. If all these animals are negative on re-testing, then the herd is considered clear and the herd would revert to routine annual surveillance testing. If any positives are found on the antibody re-test, then SureFarm to pass details to APHA. The clients veterinary surgeon will be informed to notify their local APHA office. This APHA office will decide on appropriate actions on the test positive animals, based on the herd’s location, biosecurity and TB testing history.
1 As in the vast majority of cases the number of animals will be relatively small and, as such, the ability to be confident to the level the statistics require that any positives are true positives cannot be attained, then where two-antigen positives are found during screening in small sample sizes, the initial requirement will be to immediately re-test rather than disease be notified to DEFRA
Exports
Owners should pre-export test camelids using the comparative skin test as required by international legislation. Where serology is required in addition to the skin test this will need to be performed within 30 days of the date of export. We would strongly recommend that blood samples are taken 10 days after the skin test to enable the test to benefit from boosting with tuberculin. Obviously careful planning will be required to ensure that there is sufficient time for the samples to be processed prior to the export date.
- Owners veterinary surgeon contacts Surefarm to notify requirement to test
- Blood testing is performed
- Samples despatched for testing using the Enferplex test
- Results are analysed using the statistical package and reported to the owners veterinary surgeon. In reality given in this scenario there is only likely to be small numbers of animals being tested, any positive result is likely to be seen as significant.
What is the process following outcome of testing
- All test results negative: No action other than to schedule next test
- If any animals are found test positive then the export cannot proceed and either: –
(a) Where the results are defined as true positives at the confidence level agreed with Defra on the statistical package, then Surefarm to pass details to APHA. The clients veterinary surgeon will be informed to notify their local APHA office. This APHA office will decide on appropriate actions on the test positive animals, based on the herd’s location, biosecurity and TB testing history.
(b) If inconclusive1, there should isolation of the inconclusive animals and a re-test performed within 30 days of the original test. The animal however will be determined as potentially positive for the purposes of export and we will notify Defra as such. ANY POSITIVE ANIMAL, even if classified as inconclusive, must NOT BE EXPORTED. If boosting did not occur at the disclosing test again we would fully recommend that prior to the retest that these inconclusive animals are tuberculin boosted. If all these animals are negative on re-testing, then the herd is considered clear and the herd would revert to routine annual surveillance testing. If any positives are found on the antibody re-test, then Surefarm to pass details to APHA and the clients veterinary surgeon will notify their local APHA office. This APHA office will decide on appropriate actions on the test positive animals, based on the herd’s location, biosecurity and TB testing history.
1 As in the vast majority of cases the number of animals will be relatively small and, as such, the ability to be confident to the level the statistics require that any positives are true positives cannot be attained, then where two-antigen positives are found during screening in small sample sizes, the initial requirement will be to immediately re-test rather than disease be notified to DEFRA
The process by which animals are tested
Rules governing the scheme
To apply and register for the Health Scheme, herd owners should express their interest in this test via their local veterinary surgeon. Your veterinary surgeon can then contact SureFarm Ltd to begin the registration process which is as follows:-
- Contact Sure Farm Ltd on 01935 83203 or email office@surefarm.co.uk
- A registration form, disclaimer and submission form is sent to the veterinary surgeon for completion with their client. Once the registration and disclaimer is submitted this will apply to all other subsequent samples sent for the client. Other veterinary support documents such as sampling protocols and veterinary notes for guidance will accompany the application documents. Samples should be sent to: SureFarm Ltd, The Transmission Hall, Rampisham Business Centre, Rampisham Down, Maiden Newton, Dorset DT2 0HS
- Veterinary surgeon must complete form TN184 Request to Test (included in registration pack) and request permission to test from APHA.
- All samples for Enferplex testing are dispatched every Wednesday. Veterinary surgeons taking samples should aim to send samples to Sure Farm Ltd by Tuesday and notify SureFarm Ltd of their dispatch. This enables courier arrangements to be put in place.
- New registration samples will not be sent without a completed registration form and a signed disclaimer.
- All samples are to be accompanied by a completed submission form with notification of samples being sent.
- The turnaround for results is approximately 14 days. Results are reported to veterinary surgeons only. It is the veterinary surgeons responsibility to inform their client of results received.
- In the event of any retest required or positive findings, SureFarm Ltd will contact the veterinary surgeon directly.
Protocol for Blood Sampling
Protocol for blood sampling for bovine TB using the Enferplex test.
Please be aware that the following represents best practice. Serological samples are relatively tolerant of sub-optimum conditions but if maximum sensitivity and specificity are to be achieved then they need to be handled appropriately. Please note that maximum sensitivity will be achieved if testing occurs 10-30 days post the administration of tuberculin.
- Collect samples at the beginning of the working week, to allow the samples to get to SureFarm Ltd by Tuesday or early Wednesday morning at the latest.
- Cleanly take a blood sample, minimum of 3 ml, into a serum (red top) glass vacutainer tube.
- Clot the blood at room temperature (20 +/- 4 degrees Celcius) for 2-3 hours to allow good clot formation and initial clot retraction. Beware taking samples over prolonged period of time in very cold temperatures as this can result in a problem with clot retraction.
- Store Cool to 4-8 degrees Celcius and keep at that temperature until they arrive at the destination lab. Transport should be in an approved transport container with samples appropriately labelled / supported so they don’t shake about too much. Avoid having the samples delayed in the transport system over a weekend.
Timing of sampling
As discussed in the performance section, the sensitivity of this test is significantly enhanced if the sampling occurs between 5 and 30 days post the injection of Tuberculin on day one of the skin test. Therefore we would recommend seeking to enhance sensitivity of detection of M bovis infected animals that you aim to sample within this window where possible.
Introduction to the Enferplex TB Antibody Tests
Introduction to the Enferplex TB Antibody Tests
The Enferplex TB Antibody Tests are a serological or milk assay which identifies the presence of antibody to Mycobacterium bovis, the causal agent of bovine Tuberculosis (bTB).
Different versions of Enferplex TB Antibody Tests have been developed specifically for individual species including cattle, camelids, goats, deer, badgers, pigs and a variety of zoological species.
There are a number of antigens used in a test may vary between species. No matter which species, if two or more antigens levels are above the pre-defined levels, the result is interpreted as positive.
As the number of positive antigens increase, the specificity of the test increases. The higher the number of red dots (antigen positives), the increased likelihood the animal will demonstrate lesions.
Fig. 1:
1 antigen is positive (red) - this result would be interpreted as negative to bTB.
Fig. 2:
2 antigens are positive - this result would be interpreted as positive to bTB.
Fig. 3:
4 antigens are positive in this sample - the result is interpreted as positive to bTB as two or more antigens are positive.
How does the Enferplex Bovine TB antibody test work?
The test detects the presence of antibodies within blood to Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis), the cause of bTB, by use of individual antigens.
The different antigens used in the test are placed separately as individual spots within a well. The number of antigens used in a test may vary between species. If antibody to bTB is present in the blood sample being tested, then it will bind with the relevant antigen resulting in a chemiluminescent reaction, the light from which can be measured and quantified (see Figure 1 below which demonstrates an outcome from a cattle test which uses 11 separate antigens).
Figure 1
Images from three individual testing wells showing individual antigen spots that have bound antibody and are luminescent. This light is measured to produce a quantitative result as displayed in the table (RLU = Relative Light Units).
Thresholds are set for each individual antigen and if the level of Relative Light Units (RLU) is above this threshold, a positive reaction is deemed to have occurred. In all species a positive test result is when two or more antigens are shown to be above the thresholds set for the antigens.
In cattle there are two different thresholds set for each antigen, a high sensitivity setting and a high specificity setting. The high specificity setting requires a higher threshold to be reached for a positive reaction.
The timing of sampling after a tuberculin ‘skin’ test (SICCT test) significantly affects the sensitivity of detection of antibody. Samples taken between 10 and 30 days post–SICCT testing will benefit from an antibody ‘boosting’ effect due to an anamnestic response to the PPD antigens used in the test in animals infected with M. bovis. Samples taken outside this ‘window’ (non-boosted) will have lower levels of antibody and the test will be less sensitive.
How long will it take to report the results
Results will be reported to the owners veterinary practice.
We aim to turn around results within 21 days of receipt however as this is early days it can take longer.
How will results be reported?
The administration and the reporting of the result will all be performed via the farmer’s own veterinary practice. We will not contact individual farmers directly, unless is has been expressly agreed by that practice in writing that they are happy for this to occur.
Who will notify Defra if disease is suspected?
In the event of disease being suspected or where owners have failed to re-test positive animals under the threshold for immediate notification, Surefarm Ltd will send a copy of the sero-positive test reports to the local APHA office as well as notifying the animal keeper’s private veterinary practice. It will be the animal keeper’s private veterinary practice that will be responsible for informing the owner and also contacting their local APHA.
Bovine Tuberculosis Testing Costs - Camelid
How much will it cost?
Please find below our updated charges effective from 1st February 2025
Submissions of
- 0-10 samples – £20.50 +VAT per sample - 14 to 21 days results turnaround
- 11- 20 samples - £19.50 +VAT per sample – 10 to 14 days results turnaround
- 21+ samples - £18.50 +VAT per sample - 10 to 14 days results turnaround
- Submissions of under 20 samples that require a 10 to 14 days results turnaround will be subject to a fixed fee of £315 + VAT plus courier charges.
- A £32 administration charge will also be added to all overseas accounts.
A courier charge is added to ALL submissions. This charge will be reduced further if we receive submissions from several clients.
How will I be billed?
Billing will occur via the farmer’s own veterinary practice. Surefarm Ltd will invoice the practice.