Application of the gamma-interferon assay to determine the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in slaughter livestock at abattoirs in Gauteng, South Africa.

The detection of bTB reactor cattle in our study clearly shows the limitation of disease surveillance using a meat inspection approach, as all the 410 slaughter animals sampled had passed visual abattoir inspection and been classified as bTB-free. Our findings therefore emphasize the risk of zoonotic transmission of bTB to abattoir workers and potential food safety hazard to consumers. Furthermore, our study highlights the potential for the use of the IFN-γ assay to reduce this risk.