An outbreak of tuberculosis in endangered northern pig‐tailed macaques (Macaca leonina) and milu deer (Elaphurus davidianus) from a zoo in China

Abstract

Background Tuberculosis (TB) is a zoonotic disease that affects humans and domesticated and wild animals. Animals in zoos are potentially an important source of TB for humans; however they are often neglected in routine disease surveillance programs. This investigation reports an outbreak of TB in milu deer and northern pig‐tailed macaques in a zoo in Wuhan, China, which highlighted the need for improved prevention and control of TB in China. Methods Between 24 November and 9 December 2020 two milu deer and a northern pig‐tailed macaque that were displaying signs of wasting died. Post‐mortem, histopathological diagnosis and acid fast staining were used for the dead animals. Multiple PCR for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) was performed to identify the bacterial in both milu deer and northern pig‐tailed macaque. The serum antibody iELISA for MTBC was then performed for all the surviving milu deer and northern pig‐tailed macaques. Six seropositive milu deer and a seropositive northern pig‐tailed macaque were subsequently euthanised and, along with two other dead milu deer, necropsied. DNA from these tissue samples was extracted and detected MTBC using PCR and Real‐time PCR. Subsequently bacterial isolation was used to confirm the infection. Results The lungs of the dead animals displayed gross and histological TB‐like lesions and changes, and red staining bacilli were detected in smears of the lesions by microscopy after acid fast staining. Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) was detected in the two milu deer and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) in the northern pig‐tailed macaque using multiple PCR for MTBC. 35.3% surviving milu deer and 50% surviving northern pig‐tailed macaques MTBC serologically positive. Six of the euthanised milu deer were also positive on a DNA test for M. bovis and the euthanised northern pig‐tailed macaque was positive to M. tb. Conclusions This is the first report of tuberculosis in the endangered species, milu deer and northern pig‐tailed macaques, in China, and warrants urgent attention by researchers and conservation authorities. These cases highlight the need for expanding surveillance for MTBC to zoos in China.

Prevalence of Mycobacterium bovis in deer in mainland China: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…The literature retrieval strategy retrieved 4,400 studies ( Figure 1 ), and then we selected 20 eligible studies through established inclusion and exclusion criteria. For each of the 20 ( 3 , 11–29 ) studies eligible for inclusion, the three authors (DNL, XYL and DL) independently extracted data for each of the nine data items (Sampling years, Province (Region), Variety, Detection method, Breeding mode, Season, Gender, Age, Score applied to this study) ( Table 1 ). Based on the quality scoring criteria, the 20 studies were categorized as, 10 medium quality and 10 high quality.…”

“… A cross-sectional study in which the study species was deer and the study site was in mainland China where the pathogen was Mycobacterium bovis ( 3 , 11–29 ); Randomized trial: Including an epidemiological survey of deer tuberculosis in a certain area ( 11 , 12 , 14 , 16 , 17 , 22 , 24 , 27 , 29 ); method establishment and method comparative study ( 13 , 15 , 18–21 , 23 , 25 , 26 , 28 ); research paper ( 3 ); Studies that can be obtained in full text and downloaded ( 3 , 11–29 ); Studies of natural infection with the disease ( 3 , 11–29 ); Studies with a total sample size greater than 30 ( 3 , 11–29 ); Studies that provide sample information (including sampling time, location, breed, age, sex, testing methods, etc.) ( 3 , 11–29 ). …”

“…A cross-sectional study in which the study species was deer and the study site was in mainland China where the pathogen was Mycobacterium bovis ( 3 , 11–29 );…”

“…Randomized trial: Including an epidemiological survey of deer tuberculosis in a certain area ( 11 , 12 , 14 , 16 , 17 , 22 , 24 , 27 , 29 ); method establishment and method comparative study ( 13 , 15 , 18–21 , 23 , 25 , 26 , 28 ); research paper ( 3 );…”

“…Studies that provide sample information (including sampling time, location, breed, age, sex, testing methods, etc.) ( 3 , 11–29 ).…”