We have identified a globally important clonal complex of M. bovis by deletion analysis of over one thousand strains from over 30 countries. We initially show that over 99% of the strains of Mycobacterium bovis, the cause of bovine tuberculosis, isolated from cattle in the Republic of Ireland and the UK are closely related and are members of a single clonal complex marked by the deletion of chromosomal region RDEu,1 and we named this clonal complex European 1 (Eu1). Eu1 strains were present at less than

Em estudo retrospectivo abrangendo os anos de 1984 a 1997, foram realizados 15.558 exames sorológicos para leptospirose (SAM, com coleção de 24 sorovares), que incluíram: 284 ovinos, 879 bubalinos, 983 cães, 1.941 caprinos, 2.903 eqüinos e 8.568 suínos, distribuídos percentualmente por estado da seguinte forma: ovinos - SP (100%); bubalinos - SP (100%); cães - SP (80,7%), RS (0,10%), SC (0,10%) e PI (19,0%); caprinos - SP (33,1%), PB (63,7%) e CE (3,2%); eqüinos - SP (79,3%), RS (9,98%), SC (0,62%), PR (2,5%), RJ (0,17%), MG (1,96%), MT (3,99%), PB (1,3%) e PI (0,03%); suínos - SP (61,91%), RS (0,3%), SC (5,95%), PR (3,67%), RJ (0,88%), MG (24,38%), GO (1,12%), SE (0,2%), PE (0,90%), CE (0,34%) e MA (0,1%). A distribuição temporal dos animais examinados incluiu: para a espécie ovina - 54,5% referentes aos anos 1996 e 97, 33,3% referentes a 89 e 90 e 12,2% aos outros anos; espécie bubalina - 21,7% no intervalo de 1984 a 95 e 78,83% entre 96 e 97; espécie canina - 16,91% entre 1984 e 92 e 83,09% entre 1993 e 97; caprinos - 6,97% entre 1984 e 91 e 93,09% entre 1992 e 97, sendo que 49% das amostras foram referentes ao ano de 1992; eqüinos - 18,1% no intervalo de 84 a 90 e 81,9% de1991 a 97; suínos - 61,16% referentes aos anos 90, 91, 95 e 96. As médias de animais reatores e variantes mais freqüentes por espécie foram: ovinos - 0,70% de soropositividade e reações mais freqüentes para a variante icterohaemorrhagiae; bubalinos - 43,7% de positivos e variantes hardjo seguida de pomona; cães - soropositividade de 17,7% e reações para as variantes copenhageni e icterohaemorrhagiae no estado de SP e pyrogenes no PI; caprinos - 4,17% de positividade e variantes icterohaemorrhagiae e grippotyphosa no CE, icterohaemorrhagiae na PB e pyrogenes em SP; eqüinos - 29% de soros positivos e variantes icterohaemorrhagiae no PR, SC, SP, RJ e MG, grippotyphosa no MT, pyrogenes na PB e patoc no RS; suínos - soropositividade de 24,46% e grippotyphosa seguida de icterohaemorrhagiae em MG, pomona no RS, pomona e icterohaemorrhagiae em PE e RJ, autumnalis no CE e icterohaemorrhagiae em GO, PR, SC e SP.

Mycobacterium bovis is the main causative agent of zoonotic tuberculosis in humans and frequently devastates livestock and wildlife worldwide. Previous studies suggested the existence of genetic groups of M. bovis strains based on limited DNA markers (a.k.a. clonal complexes), and the evolution and ecology of this pathogen has been only marginally explored at the global level. We have screened over 2,600 publicly available M. bovis genomes and newly sequenced four wildlife M. bovis strains, gathering 1,969 genomes from 23 countries and at least 24 host species, including humans, to complete a phylogenomic analyses. We propose the existence of four distinct global lineages of M. bovis (Lb1, Lb2, Lb3, and Lb4) underlying the current disease distribution. These lineages are not fully represented by clonal complexes and are dispersed based on geographic location rather than host species. Our data divergence analysis agreed with previous studies reporting independent archeological data of ancient M. bovis (South Siberian infected skeletons at ∼2,000 years before present) and indicates that extant M. bovis originated between 715 and 3,556 years BP, with later emergence in the New World and Oceania, likely influenced by trades among countries.

With the aim of supporting the strategic planning of the National Program for Control and Eradication of Brucellosis and Tuberculosis, different Brazilian states have been conducting cross-sectional studies, coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Supply and with scientific support from the University of São Paulo and the University of Brasilia. In Santa Catarina, the State Animal Health Agency (CIDASC) conducted a study on bovine tuberculosis (TB) prevalence and assessment of risk factors in 2012. The state was divided into five regions and, in each region, independent sampling was performed in two steps: (i) cattle herds with reproductive activity were randomly selected; and (ii) in each herd, a sample of females aged 24 months or older underwent the intradermal comparative tuberculin test. A questionnaire was used to collect data on production characteristics and management practices that could be associated with the tuberculosis infection. Herd prevalence of bovine TB was 0.50% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.074-0.93%) while the prevalence of TB in adult females was 0.06% (95% CI: 0-0.12%). No significant difference in the prevalence of infected herds and of positive females was observed among the five regions. The logistic regression model revealed that herds with 19 or more females showed an odds ratio (OR) of 7.68 (95% CI: 1.22-48.39) compared to smaller herds, while dairy herds presented an OR of 10.43 (95% CI: 2.00-54.25) relative to beef or dual-purpose herds. The results suggest that dairy herds, in which animals are kept in partial or total confinement, and larger herds, which tend to acquire animals more often, are at a higher risk of bovine TB. Given the low prevalence and the type of higher-risk properties, a bovine TB surveillance system should be targeted at the state's dairy basins, particularly the western region that accounts for the major industries and more intensive dairy farms. (TB). O Estado foi dividido em cinco regiões e, em cada uma delas, foi realizada uma amostragem independente em duas etapas: (i) propriedades com atividade reprodutiva foram selecionadas aleatoriamente; (ii) em cada propriedade, uma amostra de fêmeas com idade igual ou superior a 24 meses foi submetida ao teste tuberculínico intradérmico comparativo. Um questionário foi utilizado para recolher dados sobre as características de produção e práticas de gestão que poderiam estar associados com a infecção tuberculosa. A prevalência de focos de tuberculose bovina foi de 0,50% (95% intervalo de confiança [CI]: 0,074-0,93%), enquanto a prevalência de TB em animais foi de 0,06% (IC 95%: 0-0,12%). Não foi observada diferença significativa na prevalência de focos ou animais entre as cinco regiões. O modelo de regressão logística revelou que rebanhos com 19 ou mais vacas apresentaram um odds ratio (OR) de 7,68 (IC 95%: 1,22-48,39) em comparação com rebanhos menores, enquanto rebanhos leiteiros apresentaram um OR de CI 10,43 (95%: 2.00-54,25) em relação aos rebanhos de corte ou de duplo propósito. ...

An epidemiological study was carried out in order to characterize the bovine tuberculosis situation and to support the planning and implementation of the National Program for the Control and Eradication of Bovine Tuberculosis in the State of Bahia, owing to the importance of the disease in causing economic burdens and its impact on public health. The State was divided into four regions. In each region, properties were randomly chosen and, a pre-established number of animals was also randomly selected; these animals then subjected to the intradermal comparative cervical tuberculin diagnostic test. Animals with inconclusive test results were retested with the same diagnostic procedure within a minimum interval of 60 days. Within each sampled property, a questionnaire was administered to verify possible risk factors for the disease. In the State, the prevalence of infected herds was 1.6% [1.0-2.6] and that of infected animals 0,21% [0,07; 0,60]. In the regions, the prevalence of infected herds and infected animals were, respectively, 2,0% [1,0; 4,2%] and 2,0% [1,0; 4,2%] In conclusion, it is recommended that the State of Bahia implement a surveillance system for the detection of herds with bovine tuberculosis to certifying them in free herds, with special attention to dairy properties, and develop a solid program of health education so that producers test animals for bovine tuberculosis before introducing them into their herds. para caracterizar a situação da enfermidade no estado. O Estado foi estratificado em quatro regiões. Em cada região, propriedades foram sorteadas aleatoriamente e, dentro dessas, escolheu-se de forma também aleatória um número pré-estabelecido de animais, os quais foram submetidos ao teste tuberculínico Cervical Comparativo. Os animais que resultaram inconclusivos foram retestados com o mesmo procedimento diagnóstico em intervalo mínimo de 60 dias. Em cada propriedade amostrada aplicou-se um questionário para se verificar possíveis fatores de risco para a doença. No Estado, a prevalência de focos foi de 1,6% [1,0; 2,6%] e a de animais 0,21% [0,07; 0,60]. Nas regiões, as prevalências de focos e de animais foram, respectivamente de 2,0% [1,0; 4,2%] e 0,08% [0,035; 0,17] (OR= 9,72), ser propriedade mista (OR= 6,66) e tamanho do rebanho ≥ 18 fêmeas ≥ 24 meses (OR= 8,44). Concluindo, recomenda-se que o Estado da Bahia implemente um sistema de vigilância para detecção e saneamento dos focos de tuberculose bovina, com especial atenção para as propriedades produtoras de leite, e que desenvolva uma sólida ação de educação sanitária para que seus produtores passem a testar os animais para tuberculose bovina antes de introduzi-los em seus plantéis. Palavras-chave: Tuberculose bovina. Prevalência. Fatores de risco. Bahia. Brasil.

A cross sectional study was performed to assess the epidemiological status of bovine tuberculosis in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, in 2013. The state was divided into seven regions, and a preset number of herds was randomly sampled in each region. From each farm, female cattle aged 24 months or older were randomly sampled and subjected to the comparative cervical tuberculin test (CCTT). Animals with inconclusive test results were re-tested with the same diagnostic procedure after a minimum interval of 60 days. A total of 31 832 animals were tested from 2 182 farms. An epidemiological questionnaire was administered in the farms to identify risk factors associated with bovine tuberculosis. Prevalence in the state was estimated at 4.25% (95% CI: 3.36% -5.15%) for herds and at 0.56% (95% CI: 0.46% -0.66%) for animals. Data on herd prevalence for bovine tuberculosis for each stratum showed the highest prevalences at region Sul e Sudoeste (stratum 5) and region Central (stratum 3) which were significantly different from the lowest prevalences found at regions Noroeste, Norte e Nordeste (stratum 1) and region Leste (stratum 2). The highest animal prevalences observed for the region Sul e Sudoeste (stratum 5), region Zona da Mata (stratum 4) and region Central (stratum 3) were significantly different from the lowest ones at region Triângulo Mineiro (stratum 7), region Noroeste, Norte, e Nordeste (stratum 1) and region Leste (stratum 2). The presence of bovine tuberculosis was associated with animal purchase from cattle traders ResumoFoi realizado um estudo transversal para avaliar a situação epidemiológica da tuberculose bovina no estado de Minas Gerais em 2013. O Estado foi dividido em sete regiões e um número predefinido de fazendas foi amostrado aleatoriamente em cada região. Dentro de cada propriedade, fêmeas com idade igual ou superior a 24 meses foram escolhidas aleatoriamente e submetidas ao Teste Tuberculínico Cervical Comparativo (CCTT). Os animais com resultados inconclusivos foram retestados com o mesmo procedimento diagnóstico após um intervalo mínimo de 60 dias. Um total de 31832 animais foram testados provenientes de 2182 propriedades. Um questionário epidemiológico foi aplicado em cada fazenda para identificar fatores de risco associados à tuberculose bovina. A prevalência de focos no estado foi de 4,25% (IC 95%: 3,36 -5,15) e 0,56% (IC 95%: 0,46 -0,66) de animais. Em relação a prevalência de rebanho com tuberculose bovina para cada estrato, as maiores prevalências foram observadas nas regiões Sul e Sudoeste (estrato 5) e Central (estrato 3), que foram significativamente diferentes das menores prevalências encontradas nas regiões Noroeste, Norte e Nordeste (estrato 1) e Leste (estrato 2). As maiores prevalências de animais observadas nas regiões Sul e Sudoeste (estrato 5), Zona da Mata (estrato 4) e Central (estrato 3) foram significativamente diferentes das menores encontradas nas regiões do Triângulo Mineiro (estrato 7), Noroeste, Norte, e Nordeste (estrato 1) e Leste (estrato 2). A prese...

A cross sectional study was carried out between May and November 2011 to investigate the epidemiological situation of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The state was divided into seven regions. Three hundred farms from each region, with reproductive activity, were randomly chosen and included as primary sample units. A fixed number of bovine females, older than 2 years of age, were randomly selected and tested, using the comparative cervical tuberculin test. An epidemiological questionnaire based survey was conducted in the selected farms. Our results show that in the state of São Paulo, the apparent prevalence of positive farms was 9% (95% confidence interval, 95% CI = 7.8 -10.5%). The prevalence in the individual regions varied between 3.5% (95% CI = 1.7 -6.8%) and 13.9% (95% CI = 10.2 -18.8%). The apparent prevalence of positive animals in the state was 1.3% (95% CI = 0.9 -1.7%) and varied from 0.3% (95% CI = 0.2 -0.6%) to 2.5% (95% CI = 1.4 -4.5%) in the regions. The risk factors associated with tuberculosis in the state were (i) number of adult females in a herd is ≥ 24 (Odds ratio, OR = 1.91, 95% CI = 1.32 -2.75), (ii) type of farm enterprise (dairy: OR = 2.70, 95% CI = 1.40 -5.21; mixed: OR = 2.03, 95% CI = 1.08 -3.82), (iii) milking process (milking parlor: OR = 4.12, 95% CI = 1.46 -11.64; portable milking machine: OR = 2.94, 95% CI = 1.42 -6.09), and (iv) pasture sharing (OR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.07 -2.33). The state of São Paulo should implement a structured surveillance system to detect and mitigate the disease. Further, an efficient animal health education program, which encourages the farmers to test replacement animals for bTB prior to introduction in their herds and to avoid pasture sharing with farms of unknown sanitary conditions should also be implemented. ResumoUm estudo transversal foi realizado entre maio e novembro de 2011 para determinar a situação epidemiológica da tuberculose bovina (bTB) no estado de São Paulo, Brasil. O estado foi dividido em sete regiões. Trezentas propriedades com atividade reprodutiva de bovinos de cada região foram aleatoriamente selecionadas e consideradas unidades primárias de amostragem. Um número fixo de fêmeas bovinas com idade superior a dois anos foram aleatoriamente selecionadas e testadas usando o teste cervical comparativo. Um inquérito epidemiológico, utilizando um questionário específico, foi realizado em cada propriedade selecionada. Os nossos resultados indicam que no estado de São Paulo, a prevalência aparente de propriedades positiva foi de 9% (intervalo de confiança de 95%, IC95% = 7,8 -10,5%). A prevalência nas diferentes regiões variou entre 3,5% (IC95% = 1,7 -6,8%) e 13,9% (IC95% = 10,2 -18,8%). A prevalência aparente de animais positivos no estado foi 1,3% (IC95% = 0,9 -1,7%) e variou de 0,3% (IC95% = 0,2 -0,6%) até 2,5% (IC95% = 1,4 -4,5%) nas regiões. Os fatores de risco associados à tuberculose no estado foram (i) número de fêmeas adultas nos rebanhos ≥ 24 (Odds ratio, OR = 1,91, IC95% = 1,32 -2,75), (ii) tip...

The aim of the current study was to investigate the exposure of captive wild felids to various infectious pathogens using serological and molecular methods. One hundred and fifty-nine neotropic felids and 51 exotic felids from 28 captive settings in Brazil were tested. While antibodies against Feline parvovirus and Feline coronavirus (FCoV), Feline calicivirus and Bartonella spp. were frequently detected by serologic tests, antibodies against Felid herpesvirus 1 or infection with hemotropic mycoplasmas were less prevalent. Serologic evidence of exposure to Ehrlichia spp., Feline immunodeficiency virus, and Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) was detected rarely, and infections with FeLV, Ehrlichia spp., and Cytauxzoon spp. were found infrequently. The detected Bartonella sequence was molecularly similar to B. koehlerae and B. henselae; for Cytauxzoon, the sequence resembled those from domestic cats. No Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Theileria spp. infections were detected. The positive test results varied significantly among different facilities and species. Additionally, FCoV seropositivity was more prevalent in captivity than in free-ranging populations. Results suggest that testing is appropriate prior to relocation of felids.