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.