Occupational exposure and challenges in tackling M. bovis at human–animal interface: a narrative review

Abstract

Zoonotic tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) , a member of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) has increasingly gathered attention as a public health risk, particularly in developing countries with higher disease prevalence. M. bovis is capable of infecting multiple hosts encompassing a number of domestic animals, in particular cattle as well as a broad range of wildlife reservoirs. Humans are the incidental hosts of M. bovis whereby its transmission to humans is primarily through the consumption of cattle products such as unpasteurized milk or raw meat products that have been contaminated with M. bovis or the transmission could be due to close contact with infected cattle. Also, the transmission could occur through aerosol inhalation of infective droplets or infected body fluids or tissues in the presence of wound from infected animals. The zoonotic risk of M. bovis in humans exemplified by miscellaneous studies across different countries suggested the risk of occupational exposure towards M. bovis infection, especially those animal handlers that have close and unreserved contact with cattle and wildlife populations These animal handlers comprising of livestock farmers, abattoir workers, veterinarians and their assistants, hunters, wildlife workers as well as other animal handlers are at different risk of contracting M. bovis infection, depending on the nature of their jobs and how close is their interaction with infected animals. It is crucial to identify the underlying transmission risk factors and probable transmission pathways involved in the zoonotic transmission of M. bovis from animals to humans for better designation and development of specific preventive measures and guidelines that could reduce the risk of transmission and to protect these different occupational-related/populations at risk. Effective control and disease management of zoonotic tuberculosis caused by M. bovis in humans are also hindered by various challenges and factors involved at animal–human interface. A closer look into factors affecting proper disease control and management of M. bovis are therefore warranted. Hence, in this narrative review, we have gathered a number of different studies to highlight the risk of occupational exposure to M. bovis infection and addressed the limitations and challenges underlying this context. This review also shed lights on various components and approaches in tackling M. bovis infection at animal–human interface.

Factors associated with zoonosis and reverse zoonosis of mycobacterium tuberculosis and mycobacterium bovis in Ethiopia

“…It is possible that the spread of tuberculosis (TB) among humans and positive skin test reactions in cattle could be increased by housing animals alongside humans in enclosed living quarters (Favor zoonosis and reverse zoonosis) (Berg et al, 2015;Devi et al, 2021;Mengistu et al, 2015;Rea Tschopp et al, 2009).…”

Wildlife Diseases of Tropics and Sub Tropics

“…Wildlife tuberculosis (TB) is one of the neglected zoonotic diseases and its importance is more in the regions with more diverse mammal species, as the South Africa and South Asia (Pakistan, Nepal, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka). Many animal species form these regions have been eliminated from this world by the harsh realities of life, as the poor immunity, lack of adaptability with the environmental conditions and the disease outbreaks (Clarke et al 2021;Devi et al 2021;Thomas et al 2021). The animals that are on the verge to extinction in South Asian countries include elephants, rhinoceros, and Bengal tigers.…”

Rapid and Visual Differentiation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis From the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex Using Multiplex Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Coupled With a Nanoparticle-Based Lateral Flow Biosensor

“…Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic infectious disease mainly caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), but other members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC), especially Mycobacterium bovis , may also be involved ( Ansumana et al, 2017 ; Scott et al, 2017 ). In 2016, approximately 10.4 million new TB cases (most of the cases were MTB infections) were reported globally, of which 147,000 new zoonotic TB cases (mainly M. bovis ) accounted for 1.4% of the global incidences of TB ( WHO, 2016 ; Devi et al, 2021 ). However, the true prevalence of zoonotic TB in the world is probably underestimated because it is difficult to accurately distinguish MTB and M. bovis in actual diagnoses ( WHO, 2016 ; Devi et al, 2021 ).…”

“…In 2016, approximately 10.4 million new TB cases (most of the cases were MTB infections) were reported globally, of which 147,000 new zoonotic TB cases (mainly M. bovis ) accounted for 1.4% of the global incidences of TB ( WHO, 2016 ; Devi et al, 2021 ). However, the true prevalence of zoonotic TB in the world is probably underestimated because it is difficult to accurately distinguish MTB and M. bovis in actual diagnoses ( WHO, 2016 ; Devi et al, 2021 ). In particular, the treatment period and antituberculosis drugs for TB caused by MTB infections are different from those used for M. bovis (pyrazinamide-resistant organisms) infection ( Scott et al, 2017 ).…”