Review of Diagnostic Tests for Detection of Mycobacterium bovis Infection in South African Wildlife.

Netanya Bernitz,Anzaan Dippenaar,Charlene Clarke,Katrin Smith,Roxanne L Higgitt,Josephine Chileshe,Rachiel Gumbo,Tanya J Kerr,Paul D Van Helden,Eduard O Roos,Léanie Kleynhans,Konstantin P Lyashchenko,Michele A Miller,Robin M Warren,Wynand J Goosen,Samantha Goldswain,Christina Meiring,Sven D.c Parsons ,Candice R De Waal ,Peter Buss ,Dave Cooper ,Taschnica T Sylvester

doi:10.3389/fvets.2021.588697

Abstract

Wildlife tuberculosis is a major economic and conservation concern globally. Bovine tuberculosis (bTB), caused by Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis), is the most common form of wildlife tuberculosis. In South Africa, to date, M. bovis infection has been detected in 24 mammalian wildlife species. The identification of M. bovis infection in wildlife species is essential to limit the spread and to control the disease in these populations, sympatric wildlife species and neighboring livestock. The detection of M. bovis-infected individuals is challenging as only severely diseased animals show clinical disease manifestations and diagnostic tools to identify infection are limited. The emergence of novel reagents and technologies to identify M. bovis infection in wildlife species are instrumental in improving the diagnosis and control of bTB. This review provides an update on the diagnostic tools to detect M. bovis infection in South African wildlife but may be a useful guide for other wildlife species.

Highlights

Mycobacterium bovis is a member of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC), a group of genetically related mycobacterium species that cause tuberculosis in a range of mammals [1]
The current review focused on the use of diagnostic test for South African wildlife species since application of techniques can vary between hosts as well as geographical location [10, 93]
An increasing number of wildlife species have been confirmed to be infected with M. bovis in South Africa (Figure 1)

Summary

Introduction

Mycobacterium bovis is a member of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC), a group of genetically related mycobacterium species that cause tuberculosis in a range of mammals [1]. Of all MTBC members, M. bovis has the widest host range and causes bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in domestic animals, livestock, wildlife, and humans [2]. The KNP and HiP are adjacent to communal lands where livestock graze freely [5, 6], risking the spillover of bTB from wildlife to domestic livestock. This may have regulatory consequences and subsequent imposed trade restrictions [6, 7]. The detection of bTB in wildlife can lead to quarantine of wildlife premises and threaten

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Conclusion