Noninvasive test for tuberculosis detection among primates

Wolf TM, Mugisha L, Shoyama FM, O’Malley MJ, Flynn JL, Asiimwe B, Travis DA, Singer RS, Sreevatsan S

Traditional testing methods have limited epidemiologic studies of tuberculosis among free-living primates. PCR amplification of insertion element IS6110 of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from fecal samples was evaluated as a noninvasive screening test for tuberculosis in primates. Active tuberculosis was detected among inoculated macaques and naturally exposed chimpanzees, demonstrating the utility of this test.

Emerging Infectious Diseases 21:468-470