Klinische Untersuchung von Rindern auf BSE am Vieh- und Schlachthof München
Nowotni, A. (2003): Clinical examination of cattle for BSE at the slaughterhouse in Munich The aim of the present study was to investigate the reactions of BSE-free cattle at the slaughterhouse to the in vivo BSE-test for cattle of BRAUN et al. (1997). A total of 949 female cattle, older than 24 months and with a negative result in the rapid BSE-test, were examined at the slaughterhouse in Munich. Only behaviour and sensitivity (reactions to touch, sound, light, broom) could be assessed, as the locomotion could not be recorded in all animals. The time taken for the examination per animal was about three minutes. The examination of behaviour and sensitivity was conducted as described by BRAUN et al. (1997). When using the hand or the pen to touch the animal, and when using the broom, the examinations described by BRAUN et al. (1997) were modified. For assessment of the recorded reactions the scheme of BRAUN et al. (1997) was adopted with modifications, to assess the probability for BSE for each individual cow. About a third of the examined animals showed behaviour which was assessed as positive, according to the aforementioned conditions. When touching the animal with a pen more than half of the examined animals responded with at least one BSE-typical reaction. The specificity for the category “profoundly BSE-suspect” was found to be 97.8 %. When excluding all animals with BSE-symptoms, the specificity fell to 63.7 %. In the present investigation only a statement can be made for specificity, as none of the examined animals reacted positive in the rapid BSE-test. A clinical examination at the slaughterhouse can not be recommended. The cost benefit analysis is unpromising. Continuation of the obligatory rapid BSE-test for slaughtered cattle may have to be reviewed if the incidence of BSE keeps decreasing.
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