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Accuracy of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of paratuberculosis in cattle: A systematic review and meta-analysis

delete2026-06-12
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OA
AI
T
Tian Liu
Y
Youyi Lu
K
Kaicheng Wang
X
Xuwen Li
L
Li Wu
Z
Zihao Pan *
H
Huochun Yao
DOI:10.3168/jds.2025-27531delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Paratuberculosis is a chronic disease that poses a significant threat to the global dairy industry. In the absence of effective treatments and ideal vaccines, screening and culling strategies are the primary means of control. ELISA is the most commonly used method for paratuberculosis screening, and its results have been widely used to estimate the prevalence of paratuberculosis. However, no comprehensive meta-analysis has evaluated the detection performance of ELISA for paratuberculosis in cattle. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to fill this gap. We conducted a literature search using “paratuberculosis” and “ELISA” as keywords in the PubMed, Web of Science, Elsevier ScienceDirect and CAB Abstracts databases for relevant articles published in English before March 18, 2025. A total of 4,535 articles were retrieved. After screening articles that included extractable data on individual cattle samples and a reference standard (qPCR or culture), 75 research articles were included in the systematic review. The quality of all 75 articles was then assessed using the VETQUADAS tool. Following the inclusion of all articles in the subsequent analysis, 101 studies were extracted from these articles spanning 42 years (1983–2024) for the meta-analysis. This included the use of the R software to pool the results, as well as sensitivity analysis, detection of publication bias, assessment of heterogeneity, subgroup analysis and meta-regression. The pooled results showed that ELISA had a specificity of 0.93 (95% CrI, 0.91–0.94) and a sensitivity of 0.56 (95% CrI, 0.50–0.62) for detecting bovine paratuberculosis, with an SROCAUC of 0.75 (95% CrI, 0.65–0.83). Substantial heterogeneity was observed across studies (bivariate I2 = 75.75%). The sensitivity analysis results demonstrated that the model was generally stable. The studies exhibited substantial heterogeneity and a notable threshold effect, but no significant publication bias was detected. The multivariable meta-regression indicated that number of tests, regional prevalence, ELISA method, and quality grade showed associations to sensitivity (and/or specificity) after mutual adjustment. Based on the subgroup analysis, meta-regression and quality assessment, we recommend consistent use of the same ELISA platform over time, interpretation of thresholds according to herd prevalence and disease control objectives rather than default values, and confirmatory follow-up for suspect results. Future studies should employ rigorous sampling methods with clearly described selection criteria to avoid overestimating sensitivity due to spectrum bias, and provide detailed reporting on sample preservation and handling of suspect results. These results offer a scientific basis for the development and interpretation of ELISA results, thereby enhancing the utility of ELISA methods in the surveillance and control of paratuberculosis.
Keywords:
Paratuberculosis
ELISA
Systematic review
Meta-analysis
Cattle
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Journal

Journal of Dairy Science cover
Journal of Dairy Science
IF:
4.4
Papers:
2.1W
Citations:
7.2W

Organization

N
Nanjing Agricultural University
Scholars:
6.6K
Papers: 1.8K
Citations: 3.6W
N
ningxia university
Scholars:
1.5K
Papers: 481
Citations: 0
C
China Animal Health and Epidemiology Center
Scholars:
133
Papers: 40
Citations: 236
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