Abstract
Simple SummaryIn this study, additional methods of collecting material for bovine tuberculosis diagnosis in living European bison were introduced. We showed a potential usage of tracheobronchial aspirates and ultrasound-guided biopsies from lateral retropharyngeal lymph nodes in living animals for diagnostics. We confirmed that the isolation of Mycobacterium caprae in living European bison is possible, as is the respiratory shedding of viable M. caprae in this host. This study is important as tuberculosis is a real threat for European bison which is an endangered species and the improvement of diagnostics can help with better health monitoring and further restitution. The diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis (BTB) in living wildlife remains a complex problem, and one of particular importance in endangered species like European bison (Bison bonasus). To identify infection and avoid the unnecessary culling of such valuable individuals, current best practice requires the collection and culture of material from living animals, as mycobacteria isolation remains the gold standard in BTB diagnosis. However, such isolation is challenging due to the need for the immobilization and collection of appropriate clinical material, and because of the sporadic shedding of mycobacteria. In the present study, we evaluated the potential of sampling for the detection of BTB in a group of seven living European bison suspected of being infected with Mycobacterium caprae. The specimens were collected both as swabs from the nasal and pharyngeal cavities, tracheobronchial aspirates (TBA), ultrasound-guided biopsies from lateral retropharyngeal lymph nodes, and post mortem, from mandibular, retropharyngeal and mediastinal lymph nodes. Clinical samples were tested for mycobacterial species via mycobacteriological culture and PCR. M. caprae was isolated from collected material in two out of four living infected individuals (TBA, biopsy) and mycobacterial DNA was detected in three out of four (TBA, pharyngeal swab) bison. This is the first report of isolation of M. caprae in living European bison. Our findings demonstrate the value of diagnostic tests based on both molecular testing and culture in European bison and confirm the respiratory shedding of viable M. caprae in this host species.
Highlights
Bovine tuberculosis (BTB), caused primarily by Mycobacterium bovis or Mycobacterium caprae presents a significant threat to livestock, and to wildlife
M. caprae was isolated from two out of the seven living EB; two isolates were obtained from biopsies and one from tracheobronchial aspirates (TBA)
Culture test material is rarely collected from living wildlife, this method is considered the gold standard for tuberculosis diagnosis, and attempts should be made to isolate MTBC bacteria from clinical samples [27]
Summary
Bovine tuberculosis (BTB), caused primarily by Mycobacterium bovis or Mycobacterium caprae presents a significant threat to livestock, and to wildlife. Post mortem tests are the basis for monitoring the health of wildlife [1], the importance of diagnostic tests in living animals is increasing [2]. There is a need to develop diagnostic methods for BTB, given the recent increase in the number of cases observed in EB in Poland [7,8,9,10] and the need to protect valuable individuals from unnecessary culling. High specificity of tests is extremely important in endangered species and even though not noted often, there have been cases of culling animals positive in host-based immunological tests which appear negative in post mortem culture (Didkowska, unpublished data)
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