Ind. Admin. Code tit. 345, r. 2.5-2-4 – Official tests

Sec. 4. (a) The state veterinarian shall have the authority to test any animal or herd that may be necessary to find, confirm, diagnose, treat, or eliminate tuberculosis. The state veterinarian shall make a reasonable effort to notify the owner of an animal that must be tested. The state veterinarian shall have the right to supervise any test conducted by an accredited veterinarian. It shall be the duty of all persons owning or having custody of an animal to render all reasonable assistance to board representatives in performing their duties under this rule, including, but not limited to, the submission and restraint of animals for the following:

(1) Testing and retesting.
(2) Identification.
(3) Branding.
(4) Tagging.

(b) The official tuberculin test shall be applied only by the following persons:

(1) A veterinarian employed by the:
1. (A) board; or
2. (B) United States Department of Agriculture.
(2) An accredited veterinarian.
(3) A designated accredited veterinarian.

(1) The CFT test is:
1. (A) for routine use in individual cattle, bison, and goats and herds where the tuberculosis status of the animal is unknown; and
2. (B) the official presumptive diagnostic test for tuberculosis.
(2) The following are the official supplemental diagnostic tests for tuberculosis:
1. (A) The CCT test is an official test for retesting suspect cattle, bison, and goats. The CCT shall be applied only by a state or federal regulatory veterinarian. The CCT may not be used in an infected herd without prior consent of the state veterinarian.
2. (B) The bovine interferon gamma assay may be used in cattle herds with approval of the state veterinarian. The state veterinarian shall consult with the United States Department of Agriculture Veterinary Services (USDA VS) prior to approving this test.
3. (C) Histopathology, diagnostic bacteriology, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of formalin-fixed tissue are all approved supplemental diagnostic procedures. These procedures should be used in conjunction with tuberculosis test results and necropsy or slaughter data to determine herd status.
(3) The following are the official primary diagnostic tests for tuberculosis in herds affected with bovine tuberculosis:
1. (A) The CT test. The CT test must be used when testing exposed cattle or bison from affected herds. The CT test shall be applied only by a state or federal regulatory veterinarian. Results of a CT test may only be classified as reactor or negative.
2. (B) The CFT test may be used in lieu of the CT tests. A response to the test will classify the animal as a reactor. The CFT test may be used as a primary diagnostic test only with approval of the state veterinarian in consultation with the USDA VS.
(4) Cervids must be tested using the tests and procedures designated in 9 CFR 77.33 and 9 CFR 77.34.

(d) When a test for tuberculosis is conducted, the injection site will be observed and palpated seventy-two (72) hours after the time of injection of tuberculin plus or minus six (6) hours.

(e) Only approved laboratories may be used for tuberculosis diagnostic purposes.

(f) The state veterinarian shall classify:

(1) cattle and bison tested for tuberculosis as specified in 345 IAC 2.5-3;
(2) goats tested for tuberculosis as specified in 345 IAC 2.5-4;
(3) cervids tested for tuberculosis as specified in 345 IAC 2.5-5; and
(4) other animals tested for tuberculosis based on generally accepted scientific principles that indicate the presence or absence of tuberculosis.

(g) A person conducting a tuberculin test in the state shall report each tuberculin test conducted to the state veterinarian on an approved form within fourteen (14) days of completing the test. The report of the tuberculin test shall contain the following information:

(1) Individual identification of each animal tested.
(2) The sex, age, and breed of each animal tested.
(3) The size of the response to the tuberculosis test.

Animals classified as suspects by the CF test must be reported via telephone to the state veterinarian or a board employee within forty-eight (48) hours of the time the site of injection is observed.

(Indiana State Board of Animal Health; 345 IAC 2.5-2-4; filed Apr 13, 2005, 12:30 p.m.: 28 IR 2677; filed Jul 23, 2008, 1:01 p.m.: 20080820-IR-345070824FRA; readopted filed Nov 1, 2011, 3:50 p.m.: 20111130-IR-345110312RFA; readopted filed Jul 17, 2017, 9:06 a.m.: 20170816-IR-345170165RFA; readopted filed Oct 4, 2023, 9:15 a.m.: 20231101-IR-345230625RFA)