Zoonotic Tuberculosis: A Concern and Strategies to Combat

Abstract

Mycobacterium bovis is the main causal agent of bovine tuberculosis that causes zoonotic tuberculosis in humans. The most common routes of transmission of the agent to human are airborne transmission, consumption of unpasteurized milk, direct contact with infected animals or untreated animal products. Conventional diagnostic methods in combination with modern molecular and immunological techniques should be used for early and accurate diagnosis of the disease. Some of the challenges to tackle and eradicate zoonotic TB in developing countries are having many hosts, absence of early diagnosis, presence of other acute diseases, being economically unable to implement control strategies, and other social and cultural issues. Usually treatment is not recommended in animals but vaccination is carried out in some countries as a preventive measure. Due to the grave consequences of M. bovis infection on animal and human health, it is necessary to introduce accurate control measures to reduce the risk of disease in human and animal populations. Proper food hygiene practices, slaughter of the affected animals in developed countries, and segregation of the suspected animals in developing countries along with stronger intersectoral collaboration between the veterinary and medical professions are important for the control of the disease.

Risk Factors for the Transmission of Mycobacterium Bovis to Slaughterhouses Workers in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo

“…The working time of workers in slaughterhouses also constitutes the period of exposure to possible infections. The average duration of the workers' exercise was considerable, thus favorable to the risks of contamination by tuberculosis and other zoonoses (4,39). A study in Nigeria found a correlation between the duration of exposure and the degree of risk of contamination by different zoonotic germs (20).…”

“…Infected cattle pose a risk to public health; previous studies have revealed the role of Mycobacterium bovis in the transmission of pulmonary tuberculosis from cattle to humans (39). Tuberculosis screening was not carried out at the level of the slaughterhouse workers interviewed, but certain studies have highlighted the contamination of professionals working in cattle breeding (4,17,40).…”

“…Secondly, signi cant economic losses for cattle producers linked to herds affected by tuberculosis and cattle, remain critical point in animal health (3). Zoonotic tuberculosis is an important public health disease, but it has long been neglected (4). The bacteria responsible are two different organisms which are now known as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis (4,5).…”

“…Zoonotic tuberculosis is an important public health disease, but it has long been neglected (4). The bacteria responsible are two different organisms which are now known as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis (4,5).…”

Preliminary Prevalence and Risk Factors of Mycobacterium bovis in Local and Imported Breeds of Cattle and Buffaloes in Mosul city, Iraq

“…The disease is widespread in Central and South America, parts of Asia and Middle East countries. While BTB has been controlled successfully in most developed countries through the application of the test and slaughter schemes, meat inspection at abattoirs and pasteurization of milk, it remains a problem in some developing countries because practice of control programs are either at an early stage or not exist [9,10,11].…”