1
|
Ramanujam H, Palaniyandi K. Tuberculosis in wild animals in India. Vet Res Commun 2024:10.1007/s11259-024-10401-4. [PMID: 38771446 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-024-10401-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
India is renowned for its complex megadiverse ecosystems and abundant biodiversity. Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) often remains synonymous with Mycobacterium bovis infection in cattle. The domain of tuberculosis (TB) among wild animals, induced by members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex organisms (MTBC), is often underexplored and underreported in India. Within this context, instances of wild animal tuberculosis (wTB) have manifested across both captive and free-roaming animals. The sources contributing to wTB in animals can be human, animal, or environmental factors, thus illuminating the complex transmission pathways. The diagnosis of wTB continues to pose a formidable challenge, a consequence of the expansive taxonomic diversity in both the host and the pathogen. Complications inherent in acquiring samples from wildlife, the absence of standardized diagnostic protocols, limited insights into infection prevalence, and resource constraints compound diagnosis. Amidst these, adopting the comprehensive One Health paradigm surfaces as an imperative, accentuating the interconnectedness bridging human, animal, and environmental health. Recognizing key stakeholders and fostering intersectoral collaboration to provide enhanced diagnostic techniques driven by skilled personnel and advanced infrastructure play pivotal roles in a comprehensive strategy. Additionally, leveraging vaccination efforts contributes to effective control. A national wTB surveillance program is a cornerstone, ensuring an integrated and holistic approach to disease management. Through this review, we delve into the current landscape of wTB in India, unveiling its multifaceted challenges, and further explore the multifarious strategies that the One Health approach proffers in this dynamic endeavor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Harini Ramanujam
- Department of Immunology, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, #1, Mayor Sathiyamoorthy Road, Chennai, 600031, India
| | - Kannan Palaniyandi
- Department of Immunology, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, #1, Mayor Sathiyamoorthy Road, Chennai, 600031, India.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Apaa T, Withers AJ, Mackenzie L, Staley C, Dessi N, Blanchard A, Bennett M, Bremner-Harrison S, Chadwick EA, Hailer F, Harrison SWR, Lambin X, Loose M, Mathews F, Tarlinton R. Lack of detection of SARS-CoV-2 in British wildlife 2020-21 and first description of a stoat ( Mustela erminea) Minacovirus. J Gen Virol 2023; 104:001917. [PMID: 38059490 PMCID: PMC10770931 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Repeat spillover of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) into new hosts has highlighted the critical role of cross-species transmission of coronaviruses and establishment of new reservoirs of virus in pandemic and epizootic spread of coronaviruses. Species particularly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 spillover include Mustelidae (mink, ferrets and related animals), cricetid rodents (hamsters and related animals), felids (domestic cats and related animals) and white-tailed deer. These predispositions led us to screen British wildlife with sarbecovirus-specific quantitative PCR and pan coronavirus PCR assays for SARS-CoV-2 using samples collected during the human pandemic to establish if widespread spillover was occurring. Fourteen wildlife species (n=402) were tested, including: two red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), 101 badgers (Meles meles), two wild American mink (Neogale vison), 41 pine marten (Martes martes), two weasels (Mustela nivalis), seven stoats (Mustela erminea), 108 water voles (Arvicola amphibius), 39 bank voles (Myodes glareolous), 10 field voles (Microtus agrestis), 15 wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus), one common shrew (Sorex aranaeus), two pygmy shrews (Sorex minutus), two hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) and 75 Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra). No cases of SARS-CoV-2 were detected in any animals, but a novel minacovirus related to mink and ferret alphacoronaviruses was detected in stoats recently introduced to the Orkney Islands. This group of viruses is of interest due to pathogenicity in ferrets. The impact of this virus on the health of stoat populations remains to be established.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ternenge Apaa
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, Surrey, UK
| | - Amy J. Withers
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, Surrey, UK
| | - Laura Mackenzie
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Ceri Staley
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK
| | - Nicola Dessi
- National Wildlife Management Centre, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Sand Hutton, York, UK
| | - Adam Blanchard
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK
| | - Malcolm Bennett
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK
| | - Samantha Bremner-Harrison
- School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Southwell, UK
- Vincent Wildlife Trust, Eastnor, Ledbury, UK
| | | | - Frank Hailer
- Organisms and Environment, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Stephen W. R. Harrison
- School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Southwell, UK
| | - Xavier Lambin
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Matthew Loose
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Fiona Mathews
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Sussex, UK
| | - Rachael Tarlinton
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Chang Y, Hartemink N, Byrne AW, Gormley E, McGrath G, Tratalos JA, Breslin P, More SJ, de Jong MCM. Inferring bovine tuberculosis transmission between cattle and badgers via the environment and risk mapping. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1233173. [PMID: 37841461 PMCID: PMC10572351 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1233173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Bovine tuberculosis (bTB), caused by Mycobacterium bovis, is one of the most challenging and persistent health issues in many countries worldwide. In several countries, bTB control is complicated due to the presence of wildlife reservoirs of infection, i.e. European badger (Meles meles) in Ireland and the UK, which can transmit infection to cattle. However, a quantitative understanding of the role of cattle and badgers in bTB transmission is elusive, especially where there is spatial variation in relative density between badgers and cattle. Moreover, as these two species have infrequent direct contact, environmental transmission is likely to play a role, but the quantitative importance of the environment has not been assessed. Therefore, the objective of this study is to better understand bTB transmission between cattle and badgers via the environment in a spatially explicit context and to identify high-risk areas. We developed an environmental transmission model that incorporates both within-herd/territory transmission and between-species transmission, with the latter facilitated by badger territories overlapping with herd areas. Model parameters such as transmission rate parameters and the decay rate parameter of M. bovis were estimated by maximum likelihood estimation using infection data from badgers and cattle collected during a 4-year badger vaccination trial. Our estimation showed that the environment can play an important role in the transmission of bTB, with a half-life of M. bovis in the environment of around 177 days. Based on the estimated transmission rate parameters, we calculate the basic reproduction ratio (R) within a herd, which reveals how relative badger density dictates transmission. In addition, we simulated transmission in each small local area to generate a first between-herd R map that identifies high-risk areas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- You Chang
- Quantitative Veterinary Epidemiology Group, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Nienke Hartemink
- Quantitative Veterinary Epidemiology Group, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Wageningen, Netherlands
- Biometris, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Andrew W. Byrne
- One-Health and Welfare Scientific Support Unit, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, National Disease Control Centre, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Eamonn Gormley
- Tuberculosis Diagnostics and Immunology Research Centre, School of Agriculture, Food Science, and Veterinary Medicine, College of Life Sciences, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Guy McGrath
- Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jamie A. Tratalos
- Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Philip Breslin
- Ruminant Animal Health Division, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Simon J. More
- Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mart C. M. de Jong
- Quantitative Veterinary Epidemiology Group, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Wageningen, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Sartorius A, Cahoon M, Corbetta D, Grau-Roma L, Johnson MF, Sandoval Barron E, Smallman-Raynor M, Swift BMC, Yon L, Young S, Bennett M. Relationships between soil and badger elemental concentrations across a heterogeneously contaminated landscape. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 869:161684. [PMID: 36690105 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the links between environmental and wildlife elemental concentrations is key to help assess ecosystem functions and the potential effects of legacy pollutants. In this study, livers from 448 European badgers (Meles meles) collected across the English Midlands were used to investigate the relationship between elemental concentrations in topsoils and wildlife. Mean soil sample concentrations within 2 km of each badger, determined using data from the British Geological Survey's 'Geochemical Baseline Survey of the Environment', were compared to badger liver elemental concentrations, focusing primarily on Ag, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, K, Mn, Pb, Se, Zn. Generally, the badgers appeared to have elemental concentrations comparable with those published for other related animals, though Cu concentrations tended to be lower than expected. While there was no relationship between soil and badger liver concentrations for most biologically essential elements, biologically non-essential elements, specifically Pb, Cd, As, and Ag, were positively correlated between soil and badger livers. Lead and Cd, the elements with the strongest relationships between soils and badger livers, were primarily elevated in badgers collected in Derbyshire, a county with a millennia-long history of Pb mining and significant Pb and Cd soil pollution. Cadmium concentrations in badgers were also, on average, almost nine times higher than the local soil concentrations, likely due to Cd biomagnification in earthworms, a dietary staple of badgers. While badgers are good models for studying associations between soil and wildlife elemental concentrations, due to their diet, burrowing behaviours, and site fidelity, all flora and fauna local to human-modified environments could be exposed to and impacted by legacy pollutants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Sartorius
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK.
| | - Molly Cahoon
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK
| | - Davide Corbetta
- Farm Pathology and Companion Animal Pathology Departments, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, Veterinary Pathology Service, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK
| | - Llorenç Grau-Roma
- Farm Pathology and Companion Animal Pathology Departments, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, Veterinary Pathology Service, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK; Institute of Animal Pathology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggassstrasse 122, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Elsa Sandoval Barron
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK
| | | | - Benjamin M C Swift
- The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Lisa Yon
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK
| | - Scott Young
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK
| | - Malcolm Bennett
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
The Faecal Microbiome of the Wild European Badger Meles meles: A Comparison Against Other Wild Omnivorous Mammals from Across the Globe. Curr Microbiol 2022; 79:363. [PMID: 36253492 PMCID: PMC9576668 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-022-03064-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Here we investigate the faecal microbiome of wild European badgers Meles meles using samples collected at post-mortem as part of the All Wales Badger Found Dead study. This is the first published characterisation of the badger microbiome. We initially undertook a sex-matched age comparison between the adult and cub microbiomes, based on sequencing the V3–V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Analysis used the QIIME 2 pipeline utilising DADA2 and the Silva database for taxonomy assignment. Fusobacteria appeared to be more abundant in the microbiomes of the cubs than the adults although no significant difference was seen in alpha or beta diversity between the adult and cub badger microbiomes. Comparisons were also made against other wild, omnivorous, mammals’ faecal microbiomes using publicly available data. Significant differences were seen in both alpha and beta diversity between the microbiomes from different species. As a wildlife species of interest to the disease bovine tuberculosis, knowledge of the faecal microbiome could assist in identification of infected badgers. Our work here suggests that, if comparisons were made between the faeces of bTB infected and non-infected badgers, age may not have a significant impact on the microbiome.
Collapse
|
6
|
Bauman JS, Pizzey R, Beckmann M, Villarreal-Ramos B, King J, Hopkins B, Rooke D, Hewinson G, Mur LAJ. Untargeted metabolomic analysis of thoracic blood from badgers indicate changes linked to infection with bovine tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis): a pilot study. Metabolomics 2022; 18:61. [PMID: 35896834 PMCID: PMC9329164 DOI: 10.1007/s11306-022-01915-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Mycobacterium bovis, the causative agent of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in cattle, represents a major disease burden to UK cattle farming, with considerable costs associated with its control. The European badger (Meles meles) is a known wildlife reservoir for bTB and better knowledge of the epidemiology of bTB through testing wildlife is required for disease control. Current tests available for the diagnosis of bTB in badgers are limited by cost, processing time or sensitivities. MATERIALS AND METHODS We assessed the ability of flow infusion electrospray-high-resolution mass spectrometry (FIE-HRMS) to determine potential differences between infected and non-infected badgers based on thoracic blood samples obtained from badgers found dead in Wales. Thoracic blood samples were autoclaved for handling in a containment level 2 (CL2) hazard laboratory. RESULTS Here we show the major differences associated with with M. bovis infection were changes to folate, pyrimidine, histidine, glycerophospholipid and phosphonate metabolism. CONCLUSIONS Our studies have indicated differences in the metabolomic signature of badgers found dead in relation to their infection status, suggesting metabolomics could hold potential for developing novel diagnostics for bTB in badgers. As well as highlighting a potential way to handle samples containing a highly pathogenic agent at CL2 for metabolomics studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James Scott Bauman
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Science, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, SY23 3DA, Ceredigion, UK
| | - Richard Pizzey
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Science, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, SY23 3DA, Ceredigion, UK
| | - Manfred Beckmann
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Science, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, SY23 3DA, Ceredigion, UK
| | - Bernardo Villarreal-Ramos
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Science, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, SY23 3DA, Ceredigion, UK
- Centre of Excellence for Bovine Tuberculosis, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, SY23 3AR, Ceredigion, UK
- TB Research Group, Animal and Plant Health Agency, New Haw, Addlestone, KT15 3NB, Surrey, UK
| | - Jonathan King
- Wales Veterinary Science Centre, Y Buarth, Aberystwyth, SY23 1ND, Ceredigion, UK
| | - Beverley Hopkins
- Wales Veterinary Science Centre, Y Buarth, Aberystwyth, SY23 1ND, Ceredigion, UK
| | | | - Glyn Hewinson
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Science, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, SY23 3DA, Ceredigion, UK
- Centre of Excellence for Bovine Tuberculosis, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, SY23 3AR, Ceredigion, UK
| | - Luis A J Mur
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Science, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, SY23 3DA, Ceredigion, UK.
- Aberystwyth University, B2.03 Edward Llwyd, Penglais, Aberystwyth, SY23 3FL, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Scott-Baumann J, Pizzey R, Beckmann M, Villarreal-Ramos B, King J, Hopkins B, Rooke D, Hewinson G, Mur LAJ. Metabotyping the Welsh population of badgers based on thoracic fluid. Metabolomics 2022; 18:30. [PMID: 35524831 PMCID: PMC9079023 DOI: 10.1007/s11306-022-01888-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The European badger (Meles meles) is a known wildlife reservoir for bovine tuberculosis (bTB) and a better understanding of the epidemiology of bTB in this wildlife species is required for disease control in both wild and farmed animals. Flow infusion electrospray-high-resolution mass spectrometry (FIE-HRMS) may potentially identify novel metabolite biomarkers based on which new, rapid, and sensitive point of care tests for bTB infection could be developed. OBJECTIVES In this foundational study, we engaged on assessing the baseline metabolomic variation in the non-bTB infected badger population ("metabotyping") across Wales. METHODS FIE-HRMS was applied on thoracic fluid samples obtained by post-mortem of bTB negative badgers (n = 285) which were part of the Welsh Government 'All Wales Badger Found Dead' study. RESULTS Using principal component analysis and partial least squares-discriminant analyses, the major sources of variation were linked to sex, and to a much lesser extent age, as indicated by tooth wear. Within the female population, variation was seen between lactating and non-lactating individuals. No significant variation linked to the presence of bite wounds, obvious lymphatic lesions or geographical region of origin was observed. CONCLUSION Future metabolomic work when making comparisons between bTB infected and non-infected badger samples will only need be sex-matched and could focus on males only, to avoid lactation bias.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James Scott-Baumann
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Science, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, SY23 3DA, Ceredigion, UK
| | - Richard Pizzey
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Science, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, SY23 3DA, Ceredigion, UK
| | - Manfred Beckmann
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Science, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, SY23 3DA, Ceredigion, UK
| | - Bernardo Villarreal-Ramos
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Science, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, SY23 3DA, Ceredigion, UK
- Centre of Excellence for Bovine Tuberculosis, Aberystwyth University, Ceredigion, SY23 3AR, UK
- TB Research Group, Animal and Plant Health Agency, New Haw, Addlestone, KT15 3NB, Surrey, UK
| | - Jonathan King
- Wales Veterinary Science Centre, Y Buarth, Aberystwyth, SY23 1ND, Ceredigion, UK
| | - Beverley Hopkins
- Wales Veterinary Science Centre, Y Buarth, Aberystwyth, SY23 1ND, Ceredigion, UK
| | | | - Glyn Hewinson
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Science, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, SY23 3DA, Ceredigion, UK
- Centre of Excellence for Bovine Tuberculosis, Aberystwyth University, Ceredigion, SY23 3AR, UK
| | - Luis A J Mur
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Science, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, SY23 3DA, Ceredigion, UK.
- , B2.03 Edward Llwyd, Penglais, Aberystwyth, SY23 3FL, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Swift BMC, Barron ES, Christley R, Corbetta D, Grau-Roma L, Jewell C, O'Cathail C, Mitchell A, Phoenix J, Prosser A, Rees C, Sorley M, Verin R, Bennett M. Tuberculosis in badgers where the bovine tuberculosis epidemic is expanding in cattle in England. Sci Rep 2021; 11:20995. [PMID: 34697381 PMCID: PMC8545939 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-00473-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is an important animal health and economic problem for the cattle industry and a potential zoonotic threat. Wild badgers (Meles meles) play a role on its epidemiology in some areas of high prevalence in cattle, particularly in the UK and Republic of Ireland and increasingly in parts of mainland Europe. However, little is known about the involvement of badgers in areas on the spatial edge of the cattle epidemic, where increasing prevalence in cattle is seen. Here we report the findings of a study of found-dead (mainly road-killed) badgers in six counties on the edge of the English epidemic of bTB in cattle. The overall prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) infection detected in the study area was 51/610 (8.3%, 95% CI 6.4-11%) with the county-level prevalence ranging from 15 to 4-5%. The MTC spoligotypes of recovered from badgers and cattle varied: in the northern part of the study area spoligotype SB0129 predominated in both cattle and badgers, but elsewhere there was a much wider range of spoligotypes found in badgers than in cattle, in which infection was mostly with the regional cattle spoligotype. The low prevalence of MTC in badgers in much of the study area, and, relative to in cattle, the lower density of sampling, make firm conclusions difficult to draw. However, with the exception of Cheshire (north-west of the study area), little evidence was found to link the expansion of the bTB epidemic in cattle in England to widespread badger infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Elsa Sandoval Barron
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Rob Christley
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, CH64 7TE, UK
| | - Davide Corbetta
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, UK
| | - Llorenç Grau-Roma
- Institute of Animal Pathology, University of Bern, Länggassstrasse 122, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Chris Jewell
- Centre for Health Informatics, Computing, and Statistics, University of Lancaster, Lancaster, LA1 4YW, UK
| | - Colman O'Cathail
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Andy Mitchell
- Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), New Haw, Addlestone, KT15 3NB, Surrey, UK
| | - Jess Phoenix
- Department of Sociology, University of Lancaster, Lancaster, LA1 4YW, UK
| | - Alison Prosser
- Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), New Haw, Addlestone, KT15 3NB, Surrey, UK
| | - Catherine Rees
- School of Bioscience, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Marion Sorley
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Ranieri Verin
- Dipartimento di Biomedicina Comparata e Alimentazione, Università Degli Studi di Padova, 35020, Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Malcolm Bennett
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, LE12 5RD, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Orrico M, van Schaik G, Koets A, van den Broek J, Montizaan M, La Haye M, Rijks JM. The effectiveness of bovine tuberculosis surveillance in Dutch badgers. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:2008-2020. [PMID: 34110708 PMCID: PMC9546121 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Countries survey wildlife for bovine tuberculosis (bTB) to ensure case detection or to ascertain a high probability of freedom from bTB in wildlife. The Eurasian badger (Meles meles) is a potential bTB reservoir host. Between 2008 and 2019, 282 badgers were examined post‐mortem in the context of general wildlife disease and targeted bTB surveillance programmes in the Netherlands, and no bTB cases were detected. However, it was unclear how effective this surveillance effort was to demonstrate freedom from Mycobacterium bovis infection in the badger population of ±6000 or to detect cases if present. Therefore, surveillance effectiveness was assessed using scenario tree modelling. For lack of standards for wildlife, the models were run against three assumed levels of disease in the population called design prevalence P*: 0.1%, 0.5%, and 3%. A small risk of introduction (0.015/year) was applied, because the Netherlands are officially free from bTB in cattle, with rare import of bTB‐infected cattle and no bTB‐infected wildlife reported along the Belgian and German borders with the Netherlands. Surveillance more readily picks up bTB presence in badgers when case detection sensitivity tends towards 100% and demonstrates freedom best when the probability of freedom tends towards 100%. For P* 0.1%, 0.5% and 3%, respectively, maximum case detection sensitivity during 2008–2019 was 8%, 35% and 94% and the probability of freedom in 2019 was 46%, 67%, and 95%. At P* = 3%, performing targeted surveillance on 300 badgers in a year would make it extremely unlikely to miss a case (case detection sensitivity > 99.9%); and if no cases are detected, the adjusted probability of freedom would then reach nearly 98.5%. Stakeholders should be made aware that at P* = 3%, one case detected implies around 3% infected badgers. Additional surveillance system components to assess bTB in wildlife and its economics are to be explored further.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mario Orrico
- One Health, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Gerdien van Schaik
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Royal GD, Deventer, The Netherlands
| | - Ad Koets
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Wageningen University and Research, Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | - Jan van den Broek
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Margriet Montizaan
- Dutch Wildlife Health Centre, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Maurice La Haye
- Zoogdiervereniging/Dutch Mammal Society, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jolianne M Rijks
- Dutch Wildlife Health Centre, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Blanco Vázquez C, Barral TD, Romero B, Queipo M, Merediz I, Quirós P, Armenteros JÁ, Juste R, Domínguez L, Domínguez M, Casais R, Balseiro A. Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex Infection in Eurasian Badger ( Meles meles) and Cattle in Asturias, Spain. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11051294. [PMID: 33946463 PMCID: PMC8147139 DOI: 10.3390/ani11051294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The aim of the present work was to investigate the prevalence, spatial distribution, and temporal distribution of tuberculosis in 673 free-ranging Eurasian badgers (Meles meles) and cattle from Asturias (Atlantic Spain) during a 13-year follow-up. The study objective was to assess the role of badgers as a reservoir of tuberculosis for cattle and other sympatric wild species in the region. During the follow-up, 27/639 badgers (4.23%) were positive for the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex based on bacterial isolation, while 160/673 (23.77%) were positive based on P22 ELISA. Badger infection was spatially and temporally associated with cattle herd infection. Abstract The present work investigated the prevalence, spatial distribution, and temporal distribution of tuberculosis (TB) in free-ranging Eurasian badgers (Meles meles) and cattle in Asturias (Atlantic Spain) during a 13-year follow-up. The study objective was to assess the role of badgers as a TB reservoir for cattle and other sympatric wild species in the region. Between 2008 and 2020, 673 badgers (98 trapped and 575 killed in road traffic accidents) in Asturias were necropsied, and their tissue samples were cultured for the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) isolation. Serum samples were tested in an in-house indirect P22 ELISA to detect antibodies against the MTC. In parallel, data on MTC isolation and single intradermal tuberculin test results were extracted for cattle that were tested and culled as part of the Spanish National Program for the Eradication of Bovine TB. A total of 27/639 badgers (4.23%) were positive for MTC based on bacterial isolation, while 160/673 badgers (23.77%) were found to be positive with the P22 ELISA. The rate of seropositivity was higher among adult badgers than subadults. Badger TB status was spatially and temporally associated with cattle TB status. Our results cannot determine the direction of possible interspecies transmission, but they are consistent with the idea that the two hosts may exert infection pressure on each other. This study highlights the importance of the wildlife monitoring of infection and disease during epidemiological interventions in order to optimize outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Blanco Vázquez
- Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario del Principado de Asturias (SERIDA), 33300 Villaviciosa, Spain; (C.B.V.); (R.C.)
| | - Thiago Doria Barral
- Laboratório de Imunologia e Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, 40.110-100 Salvador, Bahia, Brazil;
| | - Beatriz Romero
- Centro de Vigilancia Sanitaria Veterinaria VISAVET, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (B.R.); (L.D.)
| | - Manuel Queipo
- Servicio de Sanidad y Producción Animal del Principado de Asturias, 33007 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain;
| | - Isabel Merediz
- Laboratorio Regional de Sanidad Animal del Principado de Asturias, 33201 Gijón, Asturias, Spain;
| | - Pablo Quirós
- Dirección General del Medio Natural y Planificación Rural del Principado de Asturias, 33007 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain; (P.Q.); (J.Á.A.)
| | - José Ángel Armenteros
- Dirección General del Medio Natural y Planificación Rural del Principado de Asturias, 33007 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain; (P.Q.); (J.Á.A.)
| | - Ramón Juste
- Animal Health Department, NEIKER-Instituto Vasco de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario, 48160 Derio, Bizkaia, Spain;
| | - Lucas Domínguez
- Centro de Vigilancia Sanitaria Veterinaria VISAVET, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (B.R.); (L.D.)
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Mercedes Domínguez
- Unidad de Inmunología Microbiana, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Rosa Casais
- Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario del Principado de Asturias (SERIDA), 33300 Villaviciosa, Spain; (C.B.V.); (R.C.)
| | - Ana Balseiro
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-Universidad de León), Finca Marzanas, Grulleros, 24346 León, Spain
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Kock R, Michel AL, Yeboah-Manu D, Azhar EI, Torrelles JB, Cadmus SI, Brunton L, Chakaya JM, Marais B, Mboera L, Rahim Z, Haider N, Zumla A. Zoonotic Tuberculosis - The Changing Landscape. Int J Infect Dis 2021; 113 Suppl 1:S68-S72. [PMID: 33713812 PMCID: PMC8672060 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.02.091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Globally, Zoonotic TB remains a poorly monitored and an important unaddressed burden. Zoonotic TB primarily from consumption M. bovis contaminated unpasteurized dairy products. Novel zoonotic TB strains (e.g. M. orygis), warrants more attention and intervention. Early detection and control of M. bovis in cattle remains the mainstay of reducing zoonotic TB risk. Reverse zoonosis to animals of treatment resistant TB strains is a threat to eliminating TB.
Despite slow reductions in the annual burden of active human tuberculosis (TB) cases, zoonotic TB (zTB) remains a poorly monitored and an important unaddressed global problem. There is a higher incidence in some regions and countries, especially where close association exists between growing numbers of cattle (the major source of Mycobacterium bovis) and people, many suffering from poverty, and where dairy products are consumed unpasteurised. More attention needs to be focused on possible increased zTB incidence resulting from growth in dairy production globally and increased demand in low income countries in particular. Evidence of new zoonotic mycobacterial strains in South Asia and Africa (e.g. M. orygis), warrants urgent assessment of prevalence, potential drivers and risk in order to develop appropriate interventions. Control of M. bovis infection in cattle through detect and cull policies remain the mainstay of reducing zTB risk, whilst in certain circumstances animal vaccination is proving beneficial. New point of care diagnostics will help to detect animal infections and human cases. Given the high burden of human tuberculosis (caused by M. tuberculosis) in endemic areas, animals are affected by reverse zoonosis, including multi-drug resistant strains. This, may create drug resistant reservoirs of infection in animals. Like COVID-19, zTB is evolving in an ever-changing global landscape.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Richard Kock
- Pathobiology and Population Sciences Department, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, AL9 7TA, UK.
| | - Anita L Michel
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Bovine Tuberculosis and Brucellosis Research Programme, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, Pretoria, South Africa.
| | - Dorothy Yeboah-Manu
- Bacteriology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Ghana.
| | - Esam I Azhar
- Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, and Medical Laboratory Technology Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Jordi B Torrelles
- Population Health Program, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, USA.
| | - Simeon I Cadmus
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
| | - Lucy Brunton
- Pathobiology and Population Sciences Department, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, AL9 7TA, UK.
| | - Jeremiah M Chakaya
- Department of Medicine, Therapeutics, Dermatology and Psychiatry, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya; Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine UK.
| | - Ben Marais
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Leonard Mboera
- SACIDS Foundation for One Health, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania.
| | - Zeaur Rahim
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh.
| | - Najmul Haider
- Pathobiology and Population Sciences Department, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, AL9 7TA, UK.
| | - Alimuddin Zumla
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK; National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, University College London Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Allen AR, Ford T, Skuce RA. Does Mycobacterium tuberculosis var. bovis Survival in the Environment Confound Bovine Tuberculosis Control and Eradication? A Literature Review. Vet Med Int 2021; 2021:8812898. [PMID: 33628412 PMCID: PMC7880718 DOI: 10.1155/2021/8812898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is one of the globe's most common, multihost zoonoses and results in substantial socioeconomic costs for governments, farming industries, and tax payers. Despite decades of surveillance and research, surprisingly, little is known about the exact mechanisms of transmission. In particular, as a facultative intracellular pathogen, to what extent does survival of the causative agent, Mycobacterium tuberculosis var. bovis (M. bovis), in the environment constitute an epidemiological risk for livestock and wildlife? Due largely to the classical pathology of cattle cases, the received wisdom was that bTB was spread by direct inhalation and exchange of bioaerosols containing droplets laden with bacteria. Other members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) exhibit differing host ranges, an apparent capacity to persist in environmental fomites, and they favour a range of different transmission routes. It is possible, therefore, that infection from environmental sources of M. bovis could be a disease transmission risk. Recent evidence from GPS-collared cattle and badgers in Britain and Ireland suggests that direct transmission by infectious droplets or aerosols may not be the main mechanism for interspecies transmission, raising the possibility of indirect transmission involving a contaminated, shared environment. The possibility that classical pulmonary TB can be simulated and recapitulated in laboratory animal models by ingestion of contaminated feed is a further intriguing indication of potential environmental risk. Livestock and wildlife are known to shed M. bovis onto pasture, soil, feedstuffs, water, and other fomites; field and laboratory studies have indicated that persistence is possible, but variable, under differing environmental conditions. Given the potential infection risk, it is timely to review the available evidence, experimental approaches, and methodologies that could be deployed to address this potential blind spot and control point. Although we focus on evidence from Western Europe, the concepts are widely applicable to other multihost bTB episystems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adrian R. Allen
- Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Veterinary Sciences Division, Bacteriology Branch, Stoney Road Stormont, Belfast BT4 3SD, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Tom Ford
- Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Veterinary Sciences Division, Bacteriology Branch, Stoney Road Stormont, Belfast BT4 3SD, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Robin A. Skuce
- Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Veterinary Sciences Division, Bacteriology Branch, Stoney Road Stormont, Belfast BT4 3SD, Northern Ireland, UK
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
de Jesús Beleño-Sáenz K, Cáceres-Tarazona JM, Nol P, Jaimes-Mogollón AL, Gualdrón-Guerrero OE, Durán-Acevedo CM, Barasona JA, Vicente J, Torres MJ, Welearegay TG, Österlund L, Rhyan J, Ionescu R. Non-Invasive Method to Detect Infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex in Wild Boar by Measurement of Volatile Organic Compounds Obtained from Feces with an Electronic Nose System. SENSORS 2021; 21:s21020584. [PMID: 33467480 PMCID: PMC7829825 DOI: 10.3390/s21020584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
More effective methods to detect bovine tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium bovis, in wildlife, is of paramount importance for preventing disease spread to other wild animals, livestock, and human beings. In this study, we analyzed the volatile organic compounds emitted by fecal samples collected from free-ranging wild boar captured in Doñana National Park, Spain, with an electronic nose system based on organically-functionalized gold nanoparticles. The animals were separated by the age group for performing the analysis. Adult (>24 months) and sub-adult (12-24 months) animals were anesthetized before sample collection, whereas the juvenile (<12 months) animals were manually restrained while collecting the sample. Good accuracy was obtained for the adult and sub-adult classification models: 100% during the training phase and 88.9% during the testing phase for the adult animals, and 100% during both the training and testing phase for the sub-adult animals, respectively. The results obtained could be important for the further development of a non-invasive and less expensive detection method of bovine tuberculosis in wildlife populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kelvin de Jesús Beleño-Sáenz
- Mechatronics Engineering Department, Universidad Autónoma del Caribe, Barranquilla 080020, Colombia;
- GISM Group, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, University of Pamplona, Pamplona 543050, Colombia; (J.M.C.-T.); (A.L.J.-M.); (O.E.G.-G.); (C.M.D.-A.)
| | - Juan Martín Cáceres-Tarazona
- GISM Group, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, University of Pamplona, Pamplona 543050, Colombia; (J.M.C.-T.); (A.L.J.-M.); (O.E.G.-G.); (C.M.D.-A.)
| | - Pauline Nol
- Centers for Epidemiology and Animal Health, Veterinary Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection, Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA; (P.N.); (J.R.)
| | - Aylen Lisset Jaimes-Mogollón
- GISM Group, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, University of Pamplona, Pamplona 543050, Colombia; (J.M.C.-T.); (A.L.J.-M.); (O.E.G.-G.); (C.M.D.-A.)
| | - Oscar Eduardo Gualdrón-Guerrero
- GISM Group, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, University of Pamplona, Pamplona 543050, Colombia; (J.M.C.-T.); (A.L.J.-M.); (O.E.G.-G.); (C.M.D.-A.)
| | - Cristhian Manuel Durán-Acevedo
- GISM Group, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, University of Pamplona, Pamplona 543050, Colombia; (J.M.C.-T.); (A.L.J.-M.); (O.E.G.-G.); (C.M.D.-A.)
| | - Jose Angel Barasona
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Joaquin Vicente
- SaBio Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC, ETSIA Ciudad Real, University of Castilla La Mancha & CSIC, 13003 Ciudad Real, Spain;
| | - María José Torres
- Biomedical Institute of Sevilla (IBiS), University of Seville, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC, 41071 Seville, Spain;
| | - Tesfalem Geremariam Welearegay
- The Ångström Laboratory, Department of Materials Science and Engineering Sciences, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 35, 75103 Uppsala, Sweden; (T.G.W.); (L.Ö.)
| | - Lars Österlund
- The Ångström Laboratory, Department of Materials Science and Engineering Sciences, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 35, 75103 Uppsala, Sweden; (T.G.W.); (L.Ö.)
| | - Jack Rhyan
- Centers for Epidemiology and Animal Health, Veterinary Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection, Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA; (P.N.); (J.R.)
| | - Radu Ionescu
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, 51006 Tartu, Estonia
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Temporal and spatial Mycobacterium bovis prevalence patterns as evidenced in the All Wales Badgers Found Dead (AWBFD) survey of infection 2014-2016. Sci Rep 2020; 10:15214. [PMID: 32939017 PMCID: PMC7495426 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-72297-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to better understand the spatial spread of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in Wales, an All Wales Badgers Found Dead (AWBFD) survey was carried out from 2014–2016. For Wales, as a whole, there was a significant decrease (p < 0.001) in prevalence of bTB in badgers since a similar survey was carried out in 2005–2006, with a drop from 13.3% to 7.3%. The highest prevalence was observed for the High TB Area East (18.6%), which shares its border with England, and differed significantly (p < 0.001) from the High TB Area West (7.4%). The lowest proportion of carcases diagnosed with the disease (0.7%) was in the Low TB Area, followed by the two Intermediate TB Areas of Wales (2.7%). The M. bovis isolates from badgers tended to be similar to the genotypes of cattle in the same area, except in the Low TB Area. The direction of any cross species transmission and the drivers for this cannot be determined from this study. The spatial variations described here support the need for regionally adapted surveillance and control measures for bovine tuberculosis in Wales.
Collapse
|
15
|
Cavill R, Taylor B, Tomlinson S, Hopkins N. Capitalise on the benefits of badger culling before phasing it out. Vet Rec 2020; 187:240-241. [DOI: 10.1136/vr.m3568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Cavill
- British Cattle Veterinary Association17 The Glenmore Centre, Waterwells Business ParkQuedgeleyGloucestershireGL2 2AP
| | - Bridget Taylor
- British Cattle Veterinary Association17 The Glenmore Centre, Waterwells Business ParkQuedgeleyGloucestershireGL2 2AP
| | - Sarah Tomlinson
- British Cattle Veterinary Association17 The Glenmore Centre, Waterwells Business ParkQuedgeleyGloucestershireGL2 2AP
| | - Nikki Hopkins
- British Cattle Veterinary Association17 The Glenmore Centre, Waterwells Business ParkQuedgeleyGloucestershireGL2 2AP
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Guardone L, Ebani VV, Verin R, Nardoni S, Consolazione A, Bennett M, Mancianti F. Molecular Detection of Arthropod-Borne Pathogens in Eurasian Badgers ( Meles meles) from the United Kingdom. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:E446. [PMID: 32155963 PMCID: PMC7143893 DOI: 10.3390/ani10030446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Arthropod-borne diseases (ABD) are of increasing interest in veterinary and public health. Eurasian badgers (Meles meles) are known to harbor a wide range of pathogens, but information on their role as ABD reservoirs and their potential epidemiological relevance is limited. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of arthropod-borne pathogens, specifically piroplasmids and the bacteria Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Ehrlichia canis, Coxiella burnetii, Francisella tularensis and Bartonella spp., in badgers from Great Britain (GB). Blood and heart samples from 18 badgers were examined using PCR and sequencing. A neighbour-joining (NJ) phylogram was also produced. Nine animals tested positive for Babesia sp., while none of the samples was positive for the investigated bacteria. The sequences obtained clustered with other sequences of Babesia sp. from badgers from GB and elsewhere, including China, Hungary, Spain and Italy, showing a widespread distribution of this parasite in badgers. Badger-associated Babesia DNA was also found recently in a wild cat in Bosnia Herzegovina, in a wolf in Italy and in dogs in Hungary. Further investigations are needed to understand the epidemiology of this putative pathogen and its impact on the health of wild and domestic carnivores.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Guardone
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (L.G.); (S.N.); (A.C.); (F.M.)
| | - Valentina Virginia Ebani
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (L.G.); (S.N.); (A.C.); (F.M.)
| | - Ranieri Verin
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Viale dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy;
| | - Simona Nardoni
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (L.G.); (S.N.); (A.C.); (F.M.)
| | - Antonio Consolazione
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (L.G.); (S.N.); (A.C.); (F.M.)
| | - Malcolm Bennett
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, LE12 5RD, UK;
| | - Francesca Mancianti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (L.G.); (S.N.); (A.C.); (F.M.)
| |
Collapse
|