Determination of Antibody Responses to MPB83 Antigen in BCG-vaccinated Rusa Deer (Rusa timorensis)

Bovine tuberculosis (BTB) is a contagious zoonotic disease that causes serious public health concerns. Cervidae are highly susceptible to BTB and it has been diagnosed in various deer species. In order to develop BTB eradication and control program, Mycobacterium bovis Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG) vaccination has been studied in cervids. In this study, 15 rusa deer were tested for responsiveness to mycobacterial reaction using a comparative cervical skin test. The rusa deer were divided into 2 groups; BCG vaccination group, which were inoculated with a single dose of 2x10^sup 6^ cfu M. bovis BCG Tokyo subcutaneously and control group. The MPB83 protein was constructed and used as a specific antigen for an indirect ELISA to determine antibody levels against BCG vaccination in rusa deer. Sera were collected pre-vaccination and 4, 10, 15, 20 and 25 weeks post-vaccination. The antibody levels at each time point were determined by indirect ELISA using the MPB83 antigen. In the vaccination group, mean difference in optical density increased significantly 4 weeks after vaccination.