Abstract
Despite control efforts, Mycobacterium bovis incidence among cattle remains high in parts of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, attracting political and public health interest in potential spread from animals to humans. To determine incidence among humans and to identify associated factors, we conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of human M. bovis cases in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland during 2002-2014. We identified 357 cases and observed increased annual case numbers (from 17 to 35) and rates. Most patients were >65 years of age and born in the United Kingdom. The median age of UK-born patients decreased over time. For 74% of patients, exposure to risk factors accounting for M. bovis acquisition, most frequently consumption of unpasteurized milk, was known. Despite the small increase in case numbers and reduction in patient age, M. bovis infection of humans in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland remains rare.
Highlights
Medscape, LLC designates this Journal-based CME activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM
Our findings confirm that M. bovis disease remains rare among humans in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland
Unlike previous studies [4,5], that the number of M. bovis patients not born in the United Kingdom remained low and fluctuated over time, the annual number of cases in this group increased slightly over time
Summary
LLC designates this Journal-based CME activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. All other clinicians completing this activity will be issued a certificate of participation. To participate in this journal CME activity: [1] review the learning objectives and author disclosures; [2] study the education content; [3] take the post-test with a 75% minimum passing score and complete the evaluation at http://www.medscape.org/journal/eid; and [4] view/print certificate. Identify the demographic features of Mycobacterium bovis cases in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland from 2002–2014, based on a national cohort study. Recognize potential exposures, including genotyping comparison between human cases, that may indicate acquisition of M. bovis in humans
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