Bovine Tuberculosis Prevalence Survey on Cattle in the Rural Livestock System of Torodi (Niger)

Abstract

BackgroundBovine tuberculosis (BTB) is a widespread zoonosis in developing countries but has received little attention in sub-Saharan Africa, especially in Niger. Recent investigations confirmed the high incidence of the disease in cattle slaughtered in an abattoir in Niamey. The fact that most of the animals in which M. bovis has been identified were from the rural area of Torodi implied the existence of a probable source of BTB in this region. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of BTB infection in cattle and to identify risk factors for infection in human and cattle populations in Torodi.Methods and Principal FindingsA survey was carried out at the level of households keeping livestock (n = 51). The questionnaire was related to the potential risk factors and the presence of clinical signs of TB both in animals and humans. Comparative Intradermal Tuberculin Test was conducted to determine the TB status in cattle (n = 393). The overall apparent individual animal prevalence of tuberculin reactors was 3.6% (CI: 95%, 1.9–5.9), whereas the individual true prevalence was estimated at 0.8% (CI: 95%, 0.0–5.0). Using a multivariate logistic regression analysis and a classification tree analysis, the only household level risk factor that significantly influenced the presence of BTB in cattle was the presence of animals coughing in the herd (OR = 4.7, 95% CI: 1.12–19.71, p-value = 0.034). The lack of the practice of quarantine was borderline significant (OR = 4.2, 95% CI: 0.96–18.40, p-value = 0.056).Conclusion/SignificanceThe study confirmed that BTB is endemic in cattle in Torodi and the risk of the transmission of the disease to humans is potentially high. For the control of the disease in livestock, slaughtering of infected animals and the compensation of the owners is needed. Collaboration between the veterinary and the medical sectors, in the diagnosis, monitoring, prevention and control of BTB is strongly encouraged.

Prevalence of bovine brucellosis, tuberculosis and dermatophilosis among cattle from Benins main dairy basins

“…Thus, it is evident that the initial thickness of the skin fold could confuse the interpretation of reactivity to tuberculin. In Africa, some authors have found relatively low rates ranging from 2 to 6% (Boukary et al, 2011;Boussini et al, 2012;Katale et al, 2013;Muma et al, 2013). In contrast, in Nigeria, Okeke et al (2014) found 16.17% with PCR on cattle lungs taken from slaughterhouses.…”

Beyond invasion: land use influencing bovine tuberculosis (bTB) infection as a function of ecosystem services

“…Moreover, areas that are currently invaded by Prosopis were important sources of forage for livestock in the dry season, leading to shrinkage of the range-and grasslands, and altering local host densities, and increasing contact among cattle herds. For instance, increased host movement have been repeatedly identified as one of the major risk factors for bTB infection in African cattle populations [35,36,37]. We, therefore, hypothesize that increasing Prosopis invasion can increase the risk of bTB infection by increasing contact among cattle herds.…”

A review of bovine tuberculosis at the wildlife–livestock–human interface in sub-Saharan Africa

“…higher in peri-urban vs. extensive systems [67]). In addition, as for Central Africa, no reliable data is available regarding wildlife.…”

“…2; adapted from [33,53,[77][78][79][80][81]) include the type of production system (intensive, dairy farms, use of upgraded B. taurus breeds), animal movements (herds importing animals, transhumance) and absence or inefficiency of bTB surveillance and control. Several studies have analysed bTB risks of transmission between livestock and humans [58,67,75,80,82], identifying husbandry practices (housing, mixing cattle herds with other small ruminants), food preferences (consumption of raw or soured milk) and overall health and hygienic conditions (HIV) as the main risk factors for humans (Fig. 2).…”