Surveillance genotyping (variable number tandem repeat profiling and spoligotyping) of Mycobacterium bovis isolates from culture-confirmed bovine tuberculosis (TB)-affected herds in Northern Ireland is presented for the years 2003 to 2008 inclusive. A total of 175 M bovis genotypes were identified in 8630 isolates from 6609 herds. On average, 73 genotypes were identified each year, with 29 genotypes present in all six years. Highly significant differences (P<0.0001) were observed between the relative frequency of some genotypes in the years 2003 to 2008. The spatial distribution of M bovis genotypes was not random (P<0.0001). Significant geographical localisation of M bovis genotypes was evident, suggesting that sources tended to be local. Despite regions being dominated by geographically localised genotypes, substantial and exploitable local diversity was still evident. Genotypes were also translocated significant distances from their normal geographical location.

No abstract

Antimicrobial resistant (AMR) bacteria can be shared between humans and animals, through food, water, and the environment. Wild animals are not only potential reservoirs of AMR, but are also sentinels mirroring the presence of AMR zoonotic bacteria in the environment. In Northern Ireland, little is known about levels of AMR in bacteria in wildlife, thus the current study aimed to estimate the prevalence of AMR bacteria in wildlife using wildlife species from two ongoing surveys as a proxy. Nasopharyngeal swabs and faecal samples from European badgers (Meles meles) (146 faecal samples; 118 nasal samples) and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) (321 faecal samples; 279 nasal samples) were collected throughout Northern Ireland and were used to survey for the presence of extended spectrum beta lactamase resistant and AmpC-type beta lactamases Escherichia coli (ESBL/AmpC), Salmonella spp. (only in badgers) and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). ESBLs were detected in 13 out of 146 badger faecal samples (8.90%) and 37 out of 321 of fox faecal samples (11.53%), all of them presenting multi-drug resistance (MDR). Fourteen out of 146 (9.59%) badger faecal samples carried Salmonella spp. [S. Agama (n = 9), S. Newport (n = 4) and S. enterica subsp. arizonae (n = 1)]. Overall, AMR was found only in the S. enterica subsp. arizonae isolate (1/14, 7.14%). No MRSA were detected in nasopharyngeal swabs from badgers (n = 118) and foxes (n = 279). This is the first attempt to explore the prevalence of AMR in the two common wildlife species in Northern Ireland. These findings are important as they can be used as a base line for further research exploring the origin of the found resistance. These results should encourage similar surveys where environmental samples are included to bring better understanding of AMR dynamics, and the impact on wildlife, domestic livestock and humans.

1The ability to accurately identify infected hosts is the cornerstone of effective disease control 1 2 and eradication programs. In the case of bovine tuberculosis, caused by infection with the 1 3pathogen Mycobacterium bovis, accurately identifying infected individual animals has been 1 4 challenging as all available tests exhibit less than 100% discriminatory ability. Here we 1 5 assess the utility of three serological tests and assess their performance relative to skin test where one test was used in conjunction with statutory testing. 9Serological tests using samples taken prior to SICCT disclosed low proportions of animals as with TB visible lesions (27%) or with laboratory confirmed infection (25%). As a result, 2 4 apparent sensitivities within this cohort was very low (≤15%), however the tests succeeded in 2 5 achieving very high specificities (96-100%). During the case-study, 7/670 (1.04%) samples 2 6 from SICCT negative animals from a large chronically infected herd were serology positive, 2 7 with a further 10 animals being borderline positive (17/670; 2.54%). 9/17 of these animals 2 8were voluntarily removed, none of which were found to be infected (-lesions/-bacteriology) 2 9 post-mortem; 1 serology test negative animal was subsequently lesion+ and M. bovis 3 0 confirmed at slaughter.

The ability to accurately identify infected hosts is the cornerstone of effective disease control and eradication programs. In the case of bovine tuberculosis, accurately identifying infected individual animals has been challenging as all available tests exhibit limited discriminatory ability. Here we assess the utility of two serological tests (IDEXX Mycobacterium bovis Ab test and Enfer multiplex antibody assay) and assess their performance relative to skin test (Single Intradermal Comparative Cervical Tuberculin; SICCT), gamma-interferon (IFNγ) and post-mortem results in a Northern Ireland setting. Furthermore, we describe a case-study where one test was used in conjunction with statutory testing. Serological tests using samples taken prior to SICCT disclosed low proportions of animals as test positive (mean 3% positive), despite the cohort having high proportions with positive SICCT test under standard interpretation (121/921; 13%) or IFNγ (365/922; 40%) results. Furthermore, for animals with a post-mortem record (n = 286), there was a high proportion with TB visible lesions (27%) or with laboratory confirmed infection (25%). As a result, apparent sensitivities within this cohort was very low (≤15%), however the tests succeeded in achieving very high specificities (96–100%). During the case-study, 7/670 (1.04%) samples from SICCT negative animals from a large chronically infected herd were serology positive, with a further 17 animals being borderline positive (17/670; 2.54%). Nine of the borderline animals were voluntarily removed, none of which were found to be infected post-mortem (no lesions/bacteriology negative). One serology test negative animal was subsequently found to have lesions at slaughter with M. bovis confirmed in the laboratory.