Tuberculosis Among Lemurs’ Captive Breeding at the Parc Botanique et Zoologique de Tsimbazaza (PBZT) in the Madagascar

Abstract

The Madagascar is a country with a high endemic biodiversity. For example, it homes 112 species and subspecies of lemurs with 100% of endemism. They are endangered in their natural habitat due to different threats from anthropogenic pressure and climate change. Between May to September 2022, eight relatives <i>Varecia varecia substincta</i> captive breeding at the Parc Botanique et Zoologique de Tsimbazaza deceased in serial and unexpectedly, some of them by tuberculosis. This study is carried out to detect the reasons why these lemurs are died and then, to assess the tuberculosis prevalence among the remain alive lemurs, in objective to proceed in cure. Tuberculosis is a notifiable treatment in the Madagascar. Outcomes has shown that lemurs are predisposed to tuberculosis infection as human primates. It may be present in latent or fatal active forms as miliary tuberculosis. Vulnerabilities depend on gender and species. Females are more fragile than males. Among different species of lemurs,<i> Varecia variegata subtincta</i> are the most threatened to tuberculosis followed by <i>Eulemur fulvus</i>. Tuberculosis is hereditary and for the first time, its genetic aspects are discovered in the Madagascar. Foremost, genetic predisposition has an influence in individual immune responses. In fact, change in weathers factors has increased underlying individual susceptibilities which led to a serious health problem. Consanguinities are an addition threat for tuberculosis transmission in an endemic island context. These basic fields need further confirmation both for lemurs’ conservation and to sustain the control of tuberculosis in the Madagascar.