Detection of mycobacterium bovis infection by pcr in an elk

M. bovis has a broad host range affecting wide variety of domestic as well as wild animals and human. A definitive diagnosis of TB requires culture and identification of, the causative mycobacterial species, a process that is tedious and takes several weeks to accomplish. Recently, PCR has been used as a rapid, specific and sensitive too: to overcome the problems associated with conventional diagnostic methods (Shah et al., 2002). This report presents successful diagnosis of TB infection in an elk (Cervus nelsoni) by species-specific PCR methods which resulted in an easy and rapid confirmatory detection of M. bovis infection within 24 hours.