Abstract
BackgroundThe genetic diversity of M. bovis in Tunisia is still underestimated despite the implementation of an eradication program. The lack of data about spatial distribution of the M. bovis population hinders the control of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) progress. This study represents the largest molecular analysis of M. bovis isolates in Tunisia. It is aimed to upgrade the understanding of bTB epidemiology and the geographical distribution of the infection. Tuberculosis research was performed in cattle (n = 149) with TB-compatible lesions collected over 5 months from a slaughterhouse located in Sfax, Tunisia.ResultsNinety-four animals were found to be infected by M. bovis and two others by M. caprae. Spoligotyping revealed twenty-five patterns, SB0120, SB0134, and SB0121 being the most prevalent profiles (36.4%, 11.4%, and 7.2%, respectively). Three new spoligotypes were detected: SB2345, SB2344 and SB2343. MIRU-VNTR analysis classified the isolates in seventy-three profiles and showed a large genotypic variety observed within the main spoligotype which was split into several MIRU-VNTR types: 29 in SB0120 (h = 0.983), 10 in SB0134 (h = 0.981) and 7 in SB0121 (h = 1). Genotyping revealed a common pattern in different geographic regions. It also showed that Sfax, located in southern-Tunisia, represents a high-risk area with an elevated genetic diversity.ConclusionsSpatial analysis may provide insights into disease transmission, which affects the effectiveness of eradication campaigns in cattle.
Highlights
The genetic diversity of M. bovis in Tunisia is still underestimated despite the implementation of an eradication program
Among the 149 cattle samples with suspicious TB lesions collected between November 2014 and April 2015, live mycobacteria were detected by culture in 99 animals (66.4%), 96 isolates belonged to M. tuberculosis complex and three to atypical mycobacteria
Our results showed a large genotypic variety observed within the main spoligotypes which was split into several MIRU-Variable Number of Tandem Repeat (VNTR) types as previously shown in Tunisia and in France [3, 11]
Summary
The genetic diversity of M. bovis in Tunisia is still underestimated despite the implementation of an eradication program. The lack of data about spatial distribution of the M. bovis population hinders the control of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) progress. Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is one of the seven endemic zoonoses neglected worldwide, especially in developing countries [1]. It is mainly caused by M. bovis, a member of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC). A national bTB control program has been implemented in Tunisia since 1984 based essentially on the intra-dermal tuberculin skin testing and routine slaughterhouse meat inspections of dairy cattle [2].
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