<i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> in Wild Asian Elephants, Southern India

Zachariah, Arun; Pandiyan, Jeganathan; Madhavilatha, G. K.; Mundayoor, Sathish; Chandramohan, Bathrachalam; Sajesh, P. K.; Santhosh, Sam; Mikota, Susan K.

doi:10.3201/eid2303.161741

Cited by 42 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 13 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The large TB burden in humans in the range countries of elephants represents a substantial potential for exposing elephants in camps or at wildland interfaces to the bacterium. The apparent emergence of TB in wild populations of Asian elephants further highlights the problems of habitat encroachment and competition for resources that brings humans and elephants into close proximity, and the dire threat it represents to the survival of this highly Endangered species (Perera et al ., ; Chandranaik et al ., ; Zachariah et al ., ; IUCN, ).…”

Section: Tuberculosis Disease In Elephantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Recommendations for the diagnosis, treatment and management of tuberculosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, in elephants in human care

Backues¹,

Wiedner²

2019

International Zoo Yearbook

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

African elephants Loxodonta africana and Asian elephants Elephas maximus are both susceptible to infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). The Asian elephant has lived in close association with humans in Asian range countries for thousands of years and this close partnership is likely responsible for the exposure of the Asian elephant to this human disease. The confirmation by modern veterinary medicine of the existence of Mtb infection in elephants has only occurred recently after a testing programme was initiated in 1996 in elephant‐holding facilities in the United States. At the time of writing, Mtb is recognized as a disease primarily of Asian elephants in zoos. However, recent identification of tuberculosis in several free‐ranging elephants, both Asian and African, indicates that the disease may be emerging in the threatened wild populations of these species, which may further hinder the survival of wild elephants in some free‐ranging populations. Ante‐mortem diagnosis of the disease in elephants is improving but remains challenging. Protecting both human and elephant health via prevention of Mtb exposure must be part of a preventative‐medicine strategy wherever humans and elephants closely interact. Treatment of Mtb‐infected elephants has been accomplished by many facilities with some promising results. However, many challenges remain, including the side effects of drug therapies and poor compliance to medication administration by the elephant. Inconsistent treatment may potentially result in the bacterium developing resistance to the antibiotics. A brief overview of the diagnosis, treatment and management of Mtb in elephants in human care is provided.

show abstract

Section: Tuberculosis Disease In Elephantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Wild Asian elephants with TB infections have now been documented in both India and Sri Lanka (Perera et al, 2014;Zachariah et al, 2017). In these reports, the animals were free ranging in wildlife parks or sanctuaries and were found either dead or near death in poor condition.…”

Section: Tuberculosis Disease In Elephantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recommendations for the diagnosis, treatment and management of tuberculosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, in elephants in human care

Backues¹,

Wiedner²

2019

International Zoo Yearbook

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Continuous advancements in modern veterinary practice benefit both in situ and ex situ elephant populations. Backues & Wiedner () describe how increased diagnostics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) provide a greater understanding of the incidence of this disease in zoo and free‐living elephants of both species (Obanda et al , ; Perera et al , ; Zachariah et al , ). Treatment of Mtb has been accomplished with some promising results and recommendations for disease prevention are made.…”

Section: Improvements In Veterinary Carementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Zoo Yb. (2019) 53: 9-16 © 2019 The Zoological Society of London EDITORIAL: CONSERVATION OF ELEPHANTS (2019) describe how increased diagnostics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) provide a greater understanding of the incidence of this disease in zoo and free-living elephants of both species (Obanda et al, 2013;Perera et al, 2014;Zachariah et al, 2017). Treatment of Mtb has been accomplished with some promising results and recommendations for disease prevention are made.…”

Section: Improvements In Veterinary Carementioning

confidence: 99%

Editorial: Conservation of Elephants

Fischer

Sach

2019

International Zoo Yearbook

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The articles in this volume of the International Zoo Yearbook highlight the contributions that professional zoological institutions have made to the care and welfare of elephants over the last 20 years, and describe the threats faced by these iconic animals in their natural habitats. Zoos work to protect wild elephants using a variety of methods, such as carrying out direct research with ex situ populations, providing conservation education and conservation funding, and engaging in capacity building. Furthermore, important work is implemented by conservation organizations in the field. This volume focuses attention on elephant conservation and the important role played by zoological institutions and other dedicated conservation organizations. It is hoped that this work will inspire more zoos to act, help to inform future conservation initiatives and, ultimately, ensure the survival of these iconic species and the protection of their habitats. (Photo: Robin Winkelman, Saint Louis Zoo)

show abstract

“…Other species present in Bardia National Park that are known to be susceptible to infection by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex include elephants (Elephas maximus) (endangered), blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) (near threatened), gaur (Bos gaurus) (vulnerable), hog deer (Axis porcinus) (endangered) barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak) (least concern), sambar deer (Cervus unicolor) (vulnerable) and the Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) (endangered) (Priya, Sunanda, Jaynudin, & Prajapati, 2014;Rao & Acharjyo, 1992). Mycobacterium tuberculosis has been confirmed to cause mortality in wild Asian elephants (Zachariah et al, 2017), hog deer, barking deer and sambar deer (Rao & Acharjyo, 1992). Mycobacterium tuberculosis has been recorded in captive but not wild gaur and blackbuck (Ahasan & Rahaman, 2007;Podhade, Jasutkar, Vivek, & Ajay, 2013).…”

Section: Consequence Assessment For Mycobacterium Orygis As a Source mentioning

confidence: 99%

Risks from disease caused byMycobacterium orygisas a consequence of Greater one‐horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) translocation in Nepal

Peters

Sadaula

Masters

et al. 2019

Transbound Emerg Dis

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The greater one‐horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) is listed as vulnerable by the IUCN Red List. Mycobacterium orygis–associated disease was identified in a single greater one‐horned rhino in Chitwan National Park in February 2015 prior to a planned translocation of five greater one‐horned rhinoceros from Chitwan National Park to Bardia National Park for conservation purposes. This paper describes a qualitative disease risk analysis conducted retrospectively post‐translocation for Mycobacterium orygis and this translocation, with the aim to improve the understanding of disease threats to the conservation of greater one‐horned rhino. The disease risk analysis method used was devised by Sainsbury & Vaughan‐Higgins (Conservation Biology, 26, 2017, 442) with modifications by Bobadilla Suarez et al (EcoHealth, 14, 2017, 1) and Rideout et al (EcoHealth, 14, 2017, 42) and included the use of a scenario tree and an analysis of uncertainty as recommended by Murray et al. (Handbook on import risk analysis for animals and animal products. Volume 1. Introduction and qualitative risk analysis, 2004), and the first time this combination of methods has been used to assess the risk from disease in a conservation translocation. The scenario tree and analysis of uncertainty increased the clarity and transparency of the analysis. Rideout et al.’s (EcoHealth, 14, 2017, 42) criteria were used to assess the source hazard and may be useful in comparative assessment of source hazards for future conservation translocations. The likelihood of release into the destination site of Mycobacterium orygis as a source hazard was estimated as of low risk, the risk of exposure of populations at the destination was of high risk and the likelihood of biological and environmental consequences was low. Overall, the risk from disease associated with Mycobacterium orygis as a result of this translocation was found to be low. Recommendations on disease risk management strategies could be improved with a better understanding of the epidemiology including the presence/absence of Mycobacterium orygis in greater one‐horned rhino to develop effective disease risk management strategies.

show abstract

Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Wild Asian Elephants, Southern India

Cited by 42 publications

References 13 publications

Recommendations for the diagnosis, treatment and management of tuberculosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, in elephants in human care

Recommendations for the diagnosis, treatment and management of tuberculosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, in elephants in human care

Editorial: Conservation of Elephants

Risks from disease caused byMycobacterium orygisas a consequence of Greater one‐horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) translocation in Nepal

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About