<i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> Infection in Free-Roaming Wild Asian Elephant

Chandranaik, B. M.; Shivashankar, Beechagondahalli Papanna; Umashankar, Kunigal Srinivasa; Nandini, Poojappa; Giridhar, P.; Byregowda, Somenahalli Munivenkatappa; Shrinivasa, Basavegowdanadoddi Marinaik

doi:10.3201/eid2303.161439

Cited by 21 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 6 publications

(6 reference statements)

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“…Infections with several members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) can cause tuberculosis (TB) in both captive and free-ranging wildlife species, thus representing a considerable zoonotic risk 1 – 4 . In recent years, because of the broad host range of some MTBC members, numerous reports of MTBC infections in different species, including endangered animals, have been published 5 , 6 . Modern phylogenetic analysis defined MTBC into seven major lineages adapted to humans and two lineages adapted to various wild and domestic animal species 7 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tuberculosis in Swiss captive Asian elephants: microevolution of Mycobacterium tuberculosis characterized by multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis and whole-genome sequencing

Ghielmetti

Coscollá

Ruetten

et al. 2017

Sci Rep

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Zoonotic tuberculosis is a risk for human health, especially when animals are in close contact with humans. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was cultured from several organs, including lung tissue and gastric mucosa, of three captive elephants euthanized in a Swiss zoo. The elephants presented weight loss, weakness and exercise intolerance. Molecular characterization of the M. tuberculosis isolates by spoligotyping revealed an identical profile, suggesting a single source of infection. Multilocus variable-number of tandem-repeat analysis (MLVA) elucidated two divergent populations of bacteria and mixed infection in one elephant, suggesting either different transmission chains or prolonged infection over time. A total of eight M. tuberculosis isolates were subjected to whole-genome sequence (WGS) analysis, confirming a single source of infection and indicating the route of transmission between the three animals. Our findings also show that the methods currently used for epidemiological investigations of M. tuberculosis infections should be carefully applied on isolates from elephants. Moreover the importance of multiple sampling and analysis of within-host mycobacterial clonal populations for investigations of transmission is demonstrated.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tuberculosis in Swiss captive Asian elephants: microevolution of Mycobacterium tuberculosis characterized by multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis and whole-genome sequencing

Ghielmetti

Coscollá

Ruetten

et al. 2017

Sci Rep

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“…A wild African elephant that had been under human care was the first reported case although it is not clear whether the mycobacterial species was confirmed (Obanda et al 2013). Since then, four cases with no history of captivity have been reported in wild Asian elephants in India (Zachariah et al 2017;Chandranaik et al 2017) and one additional case in Sri Lanka (Perera et al 2014).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Tuberculosis (TB) is an emerging disease in elephants caused primarily by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb). Numerous cases have occurred among captive elephants, but it is only since 2013 that M. tb has been found in wild elephants (Obanda et al 2013;Perera et al 2014;Zachariah et al 2017;Chandranaik et al 2017). The occurrence of this human pathogen in the wild is cause for concern and further research.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Serodiagnosis of elephant tuberculosis: a useful tool for early identification of infected elephants at the captive-wild interface

et al. 2018

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Tuberculosis (TB) is an emerging disease in elephants primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) and in some occassion by M. bovis. We performed culture and three serological tests-the Elephant TB STAT-PAK, ® DPP VetTB ® Assay, and MAPIA (multi-antigen print immunoassay)-prospectively on samples from eight elephants in Nepal that died of suspected or confirmed tuberculosis (TB) between 2007 and 2013. Among them, all elephants were reactive to DPP VetTB ® Assay, five to Elephant TB STAT-PAK, ® and two were reactive to MAPIA. Similarly, six elephants were positive on culture on samples collected antemortem or post-mortem. We observed antibody responses months to years before culture confirmation of TB which shows that serological tests can be highly useful for the early diagnosis of TB in elephants. Validated point-of-care serological tests are easily performed in the field and hold promise for improved TB surveillance in other non-domestic species.

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“…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%

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

Backues¹,

Wiedner²

2019

International Zoo Yearbook

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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.

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Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection in Free-Roaming Wild Asian Elephant

Cited by 21 publications

References 6 publications

Tuberculosis in Swiss captive Asian elephants: microevolution of Mycobacterium tuberculosis characterized by multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis and whole-genome sequencing

Tuberculosis in Swiss captive Asian elephants: microevolution of Mycobacterium tuberculosis characterized by multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis and whole-genome sequencing

Serodiagnosis of elephant tuberculosis: a useful tool for early identification of infected elephants at the captive-wild interface

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

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