Bovine tuberculosis infection in animal and human populations in Ethiopia: a review

Abstract

Ethiopia is one among the nations that possesses the largest number of livestock population in the African continent estimated to be 33 million cattle, 24 million sheep and 18 million goats. In contrast to the huge livestock resource, the livestock productivity is however, found to be very low. The major biological and socioeconomical factors attributing to the low productivity includes: the low genetic potential and performance, poor nutrition (in quality and quantity terms), the prevailing of different diseases, traditional way of husbandry systems and inadequate skilled manpower, among others. Ethiopia is one of the African countries where tuberculosis is wide spread in both humans and cattle and the endemic nature of tuberculosis in humans and cattle has long been documented. The disease is considered as one of the major livestock diseases that results in high morbidity and mortality, although the current status on the actual prevalence rate of bovine tuberculosis (BTB) at a national level is yet unknown. Detection of BTB in Ethiopia is carried out most commonly on the basis of tuberculin skin testing, abattoir meat inspection and very rarely on bacteriological techniques. Recently undertaken studies indicated the prevalence rate of BTB with a range of 3.4% (in small holder production system) to 50% (in intensive dairy productions) and a range of 3.5% to 5.2% in slaughterhouses in various places of the country. BTB in cattle remains to be a great concern due to the susceptibility of humans to the disease. The infections mainly take place by drinking raw milk and occur in the extra-pulmonary form, in the cervical lymphadenitis form in particular. The aim of this paper is to review the status of BTB in Ethiopia in relation with the existing animal husbandry systems and abattoir meat inspection surveillances. Control measures, economic impacts and the zoonotic aspect of the disease are also briefly addressed.

Molecular Epidemiology of Bovine Tuberculosis in Cattle and its Public Health Implications in Gambella Region, Ethiopia

“…Apart from effects on animal production, it has also a significant public health importance (Müller et al, 2013). Currently, the disease in human is becoming increasingly important in developing countries, as humans and animals are sharing the same microenvironment and dwelling premises, especially in rural areas, and susceptibility of AIDS patients to tuberculosis (Shitaye et al, 2007;Pal et al, 2014). It is estimated that M. bovis causes 10 to 15% human cases of tuberculosis in countries where pasteurization of milk is rare and bovine tuberculosis is common (Ashford et al, 2001;Pal et al, 2014).…”

“…Human infection due to M. bovis is thought to be mainly through drinking of contaminated or unpasteurized raw milk and under cooked meat (Pal et al, 2014).. The high prevalence of TB in cattle, close contact of cattle and humans, the habit of raw milk and meat consumption, and the increasing prevalence of HIV may all increase the potential for transmission of M. bovis and other Mycobacterium between cattle and humans (Shitaye et al, 2007;Pal et al, 2014).…”

Bovine Tuberculosis in the Republic of Macedonia: Postmortem, Microbiological and Molecular Study in Slaughtered Reactor Cattle

“…The disease has a significant public health importance, especially in developing countries where the burden of M. bovis infection in humans is important, having in mind the close habitat of the animals and humans, HIV/AIDS condition, consumption of nonpasteurized milk and milk products and the level of veterinary control (6). According to Muller et al (7), zoonotic tuberculosis in Europe is represented by a median proportion of 0.4% (0%-21.1%) of M. bovis and M. caprae in all bacteriologically confirmed human cases, whereas for Africa the median proportion is 2.8% (0%-37.7%).…”

Preliminary Study on the Prevalence of Bovine Tuberculosis and Risk Factors Among Pastoralists in Gombe State, North Eastern Nigeria

“…Direct losses dueto the infection become evident by decrease in 10 -18% milk and 15% reductionin meat production [6] apart from effectson animals production, it has also significant public health importance [7]. Presently, the disease in humans is becoming increasingly important especiallyin developing countries, as human and animal are sharing the same micro-environment and dwelling premisesespecially in ruralareas, and susceptibility of AIDS patients to tuberculosis [8].…”