The prevalence of bovine tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis) infections in feral populations of cats (Felis cutus), ferrets (Mustela furo) and stoats (Mustela erminea) in Otago and Southland, New Zealand

Abstract

Twenty-one properties in the Otago region of the South Island of New Zealand were surveyed for the presence of gross lesions due to Mycobacterium bovis infection in feral cats (Felis catus), ferrets (Mustela furo) and stoats (Mustela erminea) during 1993 and 1994. In total, 1293 cats, ferrets, stoats and weasels (Mustela nivalis) were examined for the presence of tuberculous lesions. The properties surveyed were selected according to the history and incidence of bovine tuberculosis infection in their cattle herds. Sixteen infected cattle properties were trapped in areas of Otago that were endemic for bovine tuberculosis and five properties were trapped in non-endemic areas that were considered to be free from tuberculosis infection in the cattle. No tuberculous cats, ferrets, stoats or weasels were found in non-endemic areas, and prevalence rates in the endemic areas were 0.9% for cats (n=215, 0.12<mu<3.6 at 95% CI), 17.9% for ferrets (n=.548, 14.9<mu<21.5), and 1.6% for stoats (n=62, 0.04<mu<8.95). Bovine tuberculosis was not found in any of the four weasels examined. A statistically significant association (p=0.019) was shown between the prevalence of tuberculosis in ferrets from infected properties compared to uninfected properties. High prevalences of bovine tuberculosis in ferrets, the geographically widespread nature of bovine tuberculosis infections in ferrets, and the association of tuberculous ferrets with infected cattle herds suggest that ferrets may transmit infection to domestic stock.

Disseminated Mycobacterium celatum (Type 3) Infection in a Domestic Ferret (Mustela putorius furo)

“…In New Zealand, 17% of captured ferrets in an area endemic for bovine tuberculosis were infected. 11 In the M. bovis-infected ferrets, only 2.9% of the pathologic changes were localized to the respiratory tract, whereas 34.5% of the mesenteric lymph nodes had tuberculous lesions, suggesting the importance of oral infection. 12 The route of infection of M. celatum is not known, but the widespread lesions in the respiratory tract of the ferret in the present study may suggest transmission by inhalation.…”

“…5,6 Ferrets are susceptible to infection with various mycobacteria, and Mycobacterium bovis, Mycobacterium avium, and Mycobacterium microti have been isolated from diseased ferrets. 11,14 Domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) kept as pets live close to their owners, and thus there is a possibility for transmission of infectious agents between humans and ferrets. We report here a case of M. celatum infection in a ferret in Norway.…”

Susceptibility of Raccoons (Procyon Lotor) to Infection With Mycobacterium Bovis

“…Numerous small mammals have been experimentally or naturally infected with M. bovis (McCoy, 1911;Dunkin et al, 1929;Griffith, 1939;Pulling, 1952;Basak et al, 1976;Joon, 1976;Thorns et al, 1982;Cooke et al, 1993Cooke et al, , 1995Gill and Jackson, 1993;Lugton et al, 1995;Ragg et al 1995). Prior to the discovery of M. bovis in raccoons in Michigan, neither natural nor experimental infection with M. bovis had been reported in raccoons.…”

Comparison of Three Immunodiagnostic Assays for Antemortem Detection of Mycobacterium Bovis Stimulation in Domestic Cats

“…11,19,22 Multiple species of Mycobacterium are able to cause tuberculosis; however, the classic form of tuberculosis in cats is thought to be due to Mycobacterium bovis, which can produce clinical disease in a wide range of mammalian species including humans, thus making research, surveillance, and control of M. bovis important in the eradication of tuberculosis. [1][2][3]6,11,21,22,24 Antemortem diagnosis of M. bovis infection in potential reservoir species, especially cats, has been difficult. 8,19 Antemortem diagnosis of M. bovis infection within cattle uses the tuberculin skin test, the single intradermal comparative tuberculin test, and the gamma interferon assay; however, skin testing is reportedly inconsistent when used in domestic cats.…”