Abstract
The Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) is a group of bacteria that cause tuberculosis (TB) in diverse hosts, including captive and free-ranging wildlife species. There is significant research interest in developing immunodiagnostic tests for TB that are both rapid and reliable, to underpin disease surveillance and control. The aim of this study was to carry out an updated review of diagnostics for TB in non-bovid species with a focus predominantly on those based on measurement of immunity. A search was carried out to identify relevant papers meeting a pre-defined set of inclusion criteria. Forty-one papers were identified from this search, from which only twenty papers contained data to measure and compare diagnostic performance using diagnostic odds ratio. The diagnostic tests from each study were ranked based on sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio to define high performing tests. High sensitivity and specificity values across a range of species were reported for a new antigenic target, P22 complex, demonstrating it to be a reliable and accurate antigenic target. Since the last review of this kind was undertaken, the immunodiagnosis of TB in meerkats and African wild dogs was reported for the first time. Suid species showed the most consistent immunological responses and highlight a potential dichotomy between humoral and cellular immune responses.
Highlights
The Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) is a group of genetically similar bacteria that cause the disease tuberculosis (TB) in a range of hosts [1]
Papers were excluded if they were exclusively based on bovid species, mycobacteria that do not cause TB infection such as Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis or used exclusively non-immunological based diagnostic tests, with the exception of Stewart et al [42] as it reported a novel immunochromatographic lateral flow assay specific for Mycobacterium bovis cells
A variety of diagnostic tests are available for an array of wildlife species, with increasing variety of species being studied
Summary
The Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) is a group of genetically similar bacteria that cause the disease tuberculosis (TB) in a range of hosts [1]. Cattle are considered the primary host of M. bovis; infection is not limited to livestock and affects humans and many other free-ranging and captive wildlife species [3]. The European badger (Meles meles) in the United Kingdom, Brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) in New Zealand, and White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in the United States are all species implicated in transmission of M. bovis to livestock [3]. As reviewed by Miller and Olea-Popelka, different control strategies for TB are implemented in different countries based on the level of disease transmission and prevalence within that country, and considering which species are infected or at risk of infection [4]. Common control strategies include surveillance, culling of reservoirs and infected animals, increased biosecurity and vaccination underpinned by diagnostic testing [5]
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