02274nas a2200217   4500000000100000000000100001008004100002260007000043653001400113653001100127653001700138653001300155100001600168700001100184700001600195700001800211245020300229490000800432520160200440022001402042       2018                            d  c05/2018bSchlütersche Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KGaHannover10anarcotics10acattle10aIFN-γ-ELISA10awildlife1 aC Geiwagner1 aS Fell1 aA Rettinger1 aR Straubinger00aInfluence of general anaesthesia on the vitality of peripheral leucocytes and first steps into the development of an interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) release assay for the testing of red deer blood samples0 v1313 aInterferon-gamma release assays are used for the diagnosis of tuberculosis  (TB) in cattle as well as several other species. They rely on the measurement of  IFN-γ, which is produced by sensitised T-cells after an infection with intracellular  microbes. In Germany and the adjacent Austrian regions, red deer, as a reservoir  of Mycobacterium caprae, plays an important role in the transmission and maintenance  of TB. Therefore, ante mortem diagnostic approaches for TB, such as the  development of an IFN-γ release assay for this species are of crucial need. As wild  animals have to be immobilised for blood withdrawal for this test, we investigated  whether general anaesthesia has an influence on the vitality of leucocytes  as the main source of IFN-γ. In blood samples of cattle (collected before and during  anaesthesia), IFN-γ-concentrations were measured with a bovine IFN-γ release  assay and resulted in either equal values or were slightly higher during anaesthesia.  Thus, we were able to confirm that there is no loss of leucocyte activity and  consequently no decreased IFN-γ production under narcotics. Furthermore, we  explored if the bovine assay can be used for examining red deer blood samples.  Whole blood samples of two anaesthetised red deer were tested and resulted  in a very good cross-reaction between the bovine antibodies and cervid IFN-γ.  The applied bovine assay can be used for future examination of red deer blood  samples to measure released IFN-γ. To use it as a diagnostic tool for TB in red deer,  further development of the assay would be required.  a0005-9366