Bovine tuberculosis, a chronic infection in cattle caused by Mycobacterium bovis, remains an economic
and public health problem for several countries. Due to its economic impact on international trade,
contagious nature, and implications for human health, global programs to eradicate the disease were
implemented worldwide. Those programs are based on slaughtering PPD-reactive animals. Despite the
National Programs in Brazil, complete eradication has not been achieved, and the disease remains, albeit at
a lower prevalence.
The central purpose of this review is to address diagnostic tests for tuberculosis. Considering the course of
the infection in cattle, at least two tests, ideally complementary to one another, may be necessary for an
adequate diagnosis: the first based on the cellular response, and the second capable of identifying anergic
animals by detection of specific anti-M.bovis antibodies.
