Abstract
BackgroundInfections with Mycobacterium bovis and closely related members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) are shared between livestock, wildlife and sporadically human beings. Wildlife reservoirs exist worldwide and can interfere with bovine tuberculosis (TB) eradication efforts. The Eurasian wild boar (Sus scrofa) is a MTC maintenance host in Mediterranean Iberia (Spain and Portugal). However, few systematic studies in wild boar have been carried out in Atlantic regions. We describe the prevalence, distribution, pathology and epidemiology of MTC and other mycobacteria from wild boar in Atlantic Spain. A total of 2,067 wild boar were sampled between 2008 and 2012.ResultsThe results provide insight into the current status of wild boar as MTC and Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) hosts in temperate regions of continental Europe. The main findings were a low TB prevalence (2.6%), a low proportion of MTC infected wild boar displaying generalized TB lesions (16.7%), and a higher proportion of MAC infections (4.5%). Molecular typing revealed epidemiological links between wild boar and domestic – cattle, sheep and goat – and other wildlife – Eurasian badger (Meles meles) and red fox (Vulpes vulpes) – hosts.ConclusionsThis study shows that the likelihood of MTC excretion by wild boar in Atlantic habitats is much lower than in Mediterranean areas. However, wild boar provide a good indicator of MTC circulation and, given the current re-emergence of animal TB, similar large-scale surveys would be advisable in other Atlantic regions of continental Europe.
Highlights
Infections with Mycobacterium bovis and closely related members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) are shared between livestock, wildlife and sporadically human beings
Climate features and wildlife population characteristics, Spain can be divided into six bioregions (BR) [5]; the humid and temperate Atlantic Spain would be represented by BR1, including Galicia and Asturias among other regions, along the north coast of the Iberian Peninsula (Figure 1)
The aims of the present study were (1) to document the MTC and Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) situation in wildlife of Atlantic Spain, with a focus on wild boar using serological, bacteriological, molecular and pathological diagnostic techniques, (2) to identify associations between infected wild boar populations, infected cattle and other infected domestic and wildlife species, and (3) to establish epidemiological and spatial links between MTC strains from domestic animals and wildlife in a particular region
Summary
Infections with Mycobacterium bovis and closely related members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) are shared between livestock, wildlife and sporadically human beings. The Eurasian wild boar (Sus scrofa) is a MTC maintenance host in Mediterranean Iberia (Spain and Portugal). Bovine tuberculosis (TB) is caused by infection with Mycobacterium bovis and closely related members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) [1] These infections are shared between livestock, wildlife and sporadically, human beings. There are three significant wildlife MTC maintenance hosts in Europe, namely the Eurasian badger (Meles meles), mainly in the United Kingdom (UK) and Republic of Ireland (RoI), the Eurasian wild boar (Sus scrofa), mainly in Mediterranean Spain and Portugal, and deer belonging to the subfamily Cervinae such as the red deer (Cervus elaphus) in several regions throughout Europe [4]. Both regions included hotspots (Local Veterinary Units) where cattle herd prevalence was >4%
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