Non-tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) are mainly environmental but can cause opportunistic infections and diseases in humans and animals. Livestock and wild animals can be infected with NTM. In ...Argentina, there are native wild species facing conservation risks, and they are the focus of protection and reintroduction projects designed to preserve biodiversity in various ecoregions. The aim of this study was to report the presence of NTM in samples collected from four endangered native wild species from nine Argentine provinces, as part of their pre-release health assessment.
A total of 165 samples from giant anteater, peccary, tapir and pampas deer were obtained, these included either bronchoalveolar or endotracheal lavages, or oropharyngeal, nasopharyngeal or tracheal swabs. Bacteriological culture followed by molecular identification and sequencing were performed.
A total of 27 NTM were detected, including
subsp.
, and
. Results revealed a 16,36% NTM recovery rate, with the giant anteater showing the highest prevalence among the mammals under study.
In Argentina, due to extensive production systems, the interaction between domestic and wild species sharing the same environment is frequent, increasing the exposure of all the species to these NTM. In this way, the transmission of infectious agents from one to another is feasible. Moreover, NTMs might interfere with the diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis and paratuberculosis. These findings emphasize the importance of active health surveillance in conservation programs. It highlights the need to address NTM epidemiology in wildlife and its impact on conservation and public health.
Aim of study: To demonstrate the virulence of a Mycobacterium bovis local pig isolate in order to contribute to a better understanding of the pathological and immunological consequences of M. bovis ...infection in previous sensitized animals. Area of study: Buenos Aires, Argentina Material and methods: One group of ten pigs received two oral doses of killed M. bovis suspension and a comparative intradermal tuberculin test (CIT) (multiple sensitized) and then was infected with the M. bovis strain. Another group only received the CIT (single sensitized) and the infective dose. Humoral immune response was followed monthly, and gross pathology, histopathological and bacteriological analysis were performed at necropsy 100 days after infection. Main results: M. bovis oral infection induced lesions and allowed bacterial growth in most of the animals. Previous sensitization with killed M. bovis suspension slightly raised the intensity of the response, as the multiple sensitized group showed higher lesion scores and humoral response. Research highlights: Although the differences in lesion scores were not statistically significant, oral route infection after sensitization can modify the course of infections towards a fast development of lesions with a higher fibrotic component suggestive of increased resistance to infection in the right conditions.
Epidemiology of Pig Tuberculosis in Argentina Barandiaran, Soledad; Marfil, María Jimena; Capobianco, Guillermo ...
Frontiers in veterinary science,
07/2021, Letnik:
8
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a disease caused mainly by the
Mycobacterium bovis
and that is endemic to livestock populations in most Latin American countries. Traditionally, bTB control programs are ...costly and targeted to cattle, largely disregarding other species such as swine and wildlife. According to official services, in Argentina disease prevalence in pigs is comparable to that observed in cattle, suggesting the need for efficient control programs to manage the disease in both species. Additionally, extensive farming systems, which are commonly practiced in Argentina, allow the interaction between livestock and wildlife such as wild boar (
Sus scrofa
), which is considered a natural host of the disease. Here, we evaluated the bTB pigs- cattle interface, studying the dynamics of
M. bovis
isolates in the pig population and identifying farm-level epidemiological variables associated with the disease confirmation at slaughterhouses. Additionally, to assess the potential multi-host systems in the transmission of bTB, the molecular characterization of wild boar mycobacterial strains was included in the study, as this interaction has not been previously evaluated in this region. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the association between farm-level epidemiological variables (location, farm size, and co-existence with cattle and goats) and bTB confirmation in pig tuberculosis-like lesions samples. Results showed that when cattle were present, the odds of bTB in pigs decreased 0.3 or 0.6% for every additional sow when cattle were present or absent in the farm, respectively. Pigs shared 60% (18/30) of the genotypes with cattle and wild boar, suggesting transmission at the interface between pigs and cattle and highlighting the potential role of wild boar in bTB maintenance. These results provide novel information about the molecular diversity of
M. bovis
strains in pigs in Argentina and proposes the potential relevance of a multi-host system in the epidemiology of bTB in the region. The statistical models presented here may be used in the design of a low cost, abattoir-based surveillance program for bTB in the pig industry in Argentina, with potential extension to other settings with similar epidemiological conditions.
Infection with the
causes a disease referred to as bovine tuberculosis (bTB), which affects a wide range of mammal hosts. Many countries have implemented control and eradication plans that have ...resulted in variable levels of efficacy and success. Although bTB is a notifiable disease in Argentina, and a control plan that targets cattle herds has been in place for decades,
is still prevalent in cattle, swine, and certain wild species. The aim of the paper here was to assess the sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp), and positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) of PCR from tissue, which is a test for rapid
detection in swine. Bacteriological culture was also performed for comparison purposes. A Bayesian approach was applied to estimate the accuracy of the diagnostic tests, PCR and bacteriological culture, in 266 swine samples with bTB-like lesions recovered during routine official inspections at slaughterhouses. A one-population model, assuming conditional dependence between test results, and incorporating prior information on the performance of the tests obtained from the literature, was used to estimate the tests Se and Sp. The accuracy of the combined (in parallel) application of both tests was also estimated. The Se of the PCR (82.9%) was higher than the Se of the bacteriological culture (79.9%), whereas the Sp of both tests was similar (88.5 and 89.0%, respectively). Furthermore, when both techniques were assessed in parallel, the Se of the diagnostic system increased substantially (Se = 96.6%) with a moderate Sp loss (Sp = 78.8%; PPV = 92.8%; NPV = 89%). Results suggest that the PCR, or the combined application of bacteriological culture and PCR, may serve as an accurate diagnostic tool to confirm bTB in swine samples. Results here will help the design and implementation of effective surveillance strategies for the disease in swine of Argentina and other settings in which the disease is prevalent.
A total of 143 Mycobacterium bovis isolates of pigs, from the most productive swine area in Argentina, were typed by spoligotyping. Twenty-two different spoligotypes were identified, and 133 (93%) ...isolates were grouped into 12 clusters. One of them, designed SB0140, was the most frequent because it held 83 (58%) isolates. This spoligotype also grouped 362 (43%) out of 841 isolates from previously typed cattle and, thus, constitutes the most frequent in our country. In addition, 135 (94%) isolates revealed spoligotypes identical to those of cattle, showing an epidemiological link. On the other hand, there were seven novel spoligotypes, six of which were also unique since they had only one isolate each. This study aimed to identify the spoligotypes of M. bovis isolated from pigs to contribute to a better understanding of the distribution of bovine tuberculosis in the main productive area of Argentina.
Tuberculosis is a chronic and contagious infectious disease caused by multi-host species of the genus Mycobacterium grouped within the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. These pathogenic bacteria ...mainly affect mammals, including humans. The most recognized species is Mycobacterium bovis, the causative agent of bovine tuberculosis in livestock. Although livestock is the main host of M. bovis, this species is frequently isolated from wild animals. Wild native mammals from Central and South America, as the crab-eating raccoon or "aguará popé" (Procyon cancrivorus), may act as a source of tuberculosis and may represent a human health risk, especially in captive scenarios, due to closer animal-human interaction. However, the only presence of infection in wild animals is not enough to determine their epidemiological role in the disease. Here we identify tuberculosis in a captive aguará popé with clinical signs and lung macroscopic tuberculosis-like lesions during necropsy. We detected tuberculosis by polymerase chain reaction assay. DNA was extracted directly from lung tissue and the amplification target was the insertion sequence 6110. This study contributes to investigate the presence of the disease in wild native animals of Argentina and supports the knowledge that wild mammals may act as a source of TB for humans and domestic animals.
Pinniped tuberculosis, commonly caused by
Mycobacterium pinnipedii
, is a zoonotic disease reported in free-living and captive otariid species of the southern hemisphere. Currently, data concerning ...pinniped tuberculosis in South America are scarce, reinforcing the need for further studies of the disease in free-ranging pinnipeds. In this study, we investigated the presence of tuberculosis in South American sea lions
Otaria flavescens
(SASLs) stranded along the Chubut coastline (Argentina). Necropsies were performed in 9 SASLs, and tissue samples were collected for histopathology, bacteriology, and molecular diagnosis. Four SASLs showed enlarged tracheobronchial lymph nodes (TBLNs) with multifocal to coalescing granulomas. In these animals, a direct IS
6110-
PCR amplification confirmed the presence of a
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
complex member in TBLNs (n = 4) and lungs (n = 2), but the agent could not be further identified. In one SASL,
Mycobacterium murale
was isolated from lungs without lesions. This study confirms the presence of tuberculosis in SASLs from Chubut, where tourist activities promote close interaction with the animals, generating a potential risk to human health. Further research is currently focusing on addressing the prevalence of tuberculosis in wild SASLs, to assess the risk for public health and develop management strategies to avoid human infection.
Tuberculosis in Wild Pigs from Argentina Barandiaran, Soledad; Marfil, María Jimena; La Sala, Luciano Francisco ...
EcoHealth,
03/2024, Letnik:
21, Številka:
1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Mycobacterium bovis
, a member of the
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
complex (MTC) and non-tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM), may infect wild and domestic mammals, including humans. Although cattle are the ...main hosts and spreaders of
M. bovis
, many wildlife hosts play an important role worldwide. In Argentina, wild boar and domestic pigs are considered important links in mammalian tuberculosis (mTB) transmission. The aim of this work was to investigate the presence of
M. bovis
in wild pigs from different regions of Argentina, to characterize isolates of
M. bovis
obtained, and to compare those with other previously found in vertebrate hosts. A total of 311 samples from wild pigs were obtained, and bacteriological culture, molecular identification and genotyping were performed, obtaining 63 isolates (34 MTC and 29 NTM). Twelve
M. bovis
spoligotypes were detected. Our findings suggest that wild pigs have a prominent role as reservoirs of mTB in Argentina, based on an estimated prevalence of 11.2 ± 1.8% (95% CI 8.0–14.8) for MTC and the frequency distribution of spoligotypes shared by cattle (75%), domestic pigs (58%) and wildlife (50%). Argentina has a typical scenario where cattle and pigs are farm-raised extensively, sharing the environment with wildlife, creating conditions for effective transmission of mTB in the wildlife–livestock–human interface.
•Some miniature schnauzers are genetically predisposed to Mycobacterium avium infections.•Confirmation of the Mycobacterium species causing infection in pets is essential.•Combined diagnosis approach ...is necessary to establish treatment and prognosis.•Antibiotic therapy should be considered to improve life quality in diseased dogs.
Environmental mycobacteria such as those from the Mycobacterium avium-intacellulare complex may cause disseminated and severe disease in dogs with genetic predisposition. A series of cases of 4 miniature schnauzers with nonspecific clinical signs and the diagnostic tests are described. Complementary means of diagnosis including complete blood count, biochemical serum analyses and fine needle aspiration cytology staining were performed. The bacteriological culture followed by PCR amplification of 1245 and 901 insertion sequences, allowed the identification of Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis. This environmental Mycobacteria normally do not cause severe disease in dogs or other species, but when CARD-9 gene presents mutations, dogs may become extremely susceptible and disease is fast, disseminated, and fatal. Antibiotic therapy can be applied under veterinary consideration in specific situations, as treatment is usually applied for a long period of time. Although zoonotic risk is low as the Mycobacterium is environmental, contamination of the location may be high, and immunosuppressed animals and humans can develop infection as well. This report may aid clinical veterinarians in the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis in similar cases of this breed and others with the genetic predisposition.
Detection of specific antibodies would be a useful test strategy for bovine tuberculosis (bTB) as a complement to the single skin test. We developed a lateral flow immunochromatography (LFIC) test ...for rapid bTB detection based on the use of a conjugate of gold nanoparticles with a recombinant G protein. After evaluating 3 Mycobacterium bovis (MB) antigens: ESAT-6, CFP-10 and MPB83 for the control line, we selected MPB83 given it was the most specific. The performance of the test was analyzed with 820 bovine sera, 40 sera corresponding to healthy animals, 5 sera from animals infected with Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) and 775 sera of animals from herds with bTB. All these sera were also submitted to a validated bTB-ELISA using whole-cell antigen from MB. From the 775 sera of animals from herds with bTB, 87 sera were positive by the bTB-ELISA, 45 were positive by LFIC and only 5 animals were positives by skin test (TST). To confirm bTB infection in the group of TST (−), bTB-ELISA (+) and LFIC (+) animals, we performed postmortem examination in 15 randomly selected animals. Macroscopically, these 15 animals had numerous small and large yellow-white granulomas, characteristic of bTB, and the infection was subsequently confirmed by PCR in these tissues with lesions (gold standard).
No false positive test result was detected with the developed LFIC either with the sera from healthy animals or from animals infected with MAP demonstrating that it can be a useful technique for the rapid identification of animals infected with bTB.
•We developed a lateral flow immunochromatography (LFIC) test for rapid bovine Tuberculosis detection.•MPB83 antigen was found to be sensitive and specific for M. bovis detection.•The LFIC recognizes infected animals that have not been detected by the reference technique.•The use of the LFIC could contribute to the control of bTB in herds.
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