National field evaluation of pooled faecal culture - interim report 24 October 00.

Abstract

Pooled faecal culture (PFC) has been proposed as a screening test for testing sheep populations as part of the NOJDP as it provides the potential for significant savings for the NOJDP compared with serological testing. Doubts having arisen about the specificity and robustness of the technique and its performance in areas of Australia outside New South Wales, it was deemed necessary to have the PFC undertaken in several laboratories, drawing samples from flocks from a variety of regions (in Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Queensland) with both positive and negative status. PFC testing was effectively performed in participating laboratories as indicated by ANQAP proficiency testing and the results of the field evaluation, including the testing of positive and negative controls. PFC was found to have the anticipated high sensitivity for detecting infected flocks with only one known infected flock with negative results in the trial. Negative PFC results were reported for 76 farms (699 pools) which had a flock history or testing record which indicated no evidence of OJD.