First detection of Mycobacterium bovis infection in Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) in the Greater Kruger National Park Complex: Role and implications.
Transbound Emerg Dis
; 66(6): 2264-2270, 2019 Nov.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-31233666
ABSTRACT
Bovine tuberculosis (bovine TB) caused by Mycobacterium bovis has become endemic in some wildlife populations in South Africa. The disease has been reported in 21 wildlife species in the country. In this study, we report M. bovis infection in two female giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) from two different nature reserves within the Greater Kruger National Park Complex (GKNPC). Mycobacterium bovis was isolated from tissue lesions consistent with macroscopic appearance of tuberculosis (TB) and confirmed by polymerase chain reactions (PCRs), targeting the RD4 region of difference on the genome of the isolates. Spoligotyping and variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) typing revealed infection of one giraffe with a strain (SB0294) previously not detected in South Africa, while a resident M. bovis strain (SB0121) was detected from the other giraffe. Our work is first to report M. bovis infection in free-ranging giraffes in South Africa. We have further demonstrated the existence of at least three genetically unrelated strains currently infecting wildlife species within the GKNPC. This finding suggests that the epidemiological situation of M. bovis within the GKNPC is not only driven by internal sources from its established endemic presence, but can be additionally fuelled by strains introduced from external sources. It further emphasizes that regular wildlife disease surveillance is an essential prerequisite for the timely identification of new pathogens or strains in ecospheres of high conservation value.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Bases de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Tuberculose
/
Girafas
/
Mycobacterium bovis
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Animals
País/Região como assunto:
Africa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Transbound Emerg Dis
Assunto da revista:
MEDICINA VETERINARIA
Ano de publicação:
2019
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
África do Sul