First questionnaire-based assessment of the intradermal tuberculosis skin test performed in cattle by veterinary practitioners in the field

Bovine tuberculosis remains a matter of serious concern in the European Union despite the implementation of eradication programs in Member States. The aim of this study was to develop a novel and practical methodology to evaluate TB skin testing practices in various regions and countries using an anonymous postal questionnaire sent out to Belgian veterinary bovine practitioners (N=859). Several parameters regarding tuberculin skin testing were included and answers were evaluated by a scoring scale based on the opinion of international experts in the field of bovine tuberculosis. For each parameter, a score of 0 was recorded for the ideal answer, a score of 1 represented an acceptable answer, whilst a score of 2 was given to unacceptable answers. A global score was calculated for each participating veterinarian by summing up the scores for individual questions. The global score was then checked against the ideal null-score defined by the experts. The participation among contacted veterinarians was statistically representative (18.3%). Averages of global scores for the northern (21.66%) and southern (21.02%) parts of the country were not statistically different. In addition, their values were not null. These results may pave the way for harmonization of tuberculin testing in various regions and countries. New recommendations to the veterinary practitioners should be issued by the sanitary authorities and the questionnaire-based study should be repeated in a few years, after publication of these recommendations, in order to check on improvements in practice and adherence to the recommendations.