Molecular and Serological Footprints of Mycobacterium avium Subspecies Infections in Zoo Animals

Abstract

Background: Mycobacteria of the Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) pose a significant risk to zoological collections. Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) is a member of MAC and the causative agent of Johne’s disease. Despite many reports in animals kept in zoological gardens, systemic surveillance has rarely been reported. Methods: In this study, archived serum samples collected from animal species at the Wilhelma Zoological and Botanical Gardens in Stuttgart, Germany, were screened for the presence of antibodies against MAC and MAP. In addition, molecular investigations were performed on necropsy, fecal, and environmental samples. Results: In total, 30/381 serum samples of various mammalian species were positive for MAC antibodies in ELISA, while one sample of a reticulated giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata) was positive in MAP-specific ELISA. Samples from many species were positive in pan-Mycobacterium real-time PCR (40/43 fecal samples, 27/43 environmental samples, and 31/90 necropsy samples). Surprisingly, no sample was positive in the MAP-specific molecular assays. However, two environmental samples from primate enclosures were positive in Mycobacterium avium subspecies hominissuis (MAH)-specific real-time PCR. Conclusions: The results reveal serological indications of MAC infections in the zoological collection. However, the presence of a MAP-contaminated environment by a high-shedding individual animal or MAP-infected population is unlikely.

Avian mycobacteriosis in a naturally infected captive nocturnal curassow (Nothocrax urumutum)

“…In the case of MAC, the ability of the microorganisms to persist in the environment for many years, especially in soil contributes to the disease transmission. However, the prevalence of avian mycobacteriosis in zoo collections is usually low, but each individual case may have devastating consequences for sanitary status of the population so quarantine and surveillance for other infected birds are usually considered good practices in these cases (17,24).…”

Mycobacterium Tuberculosis and Avium Complex Investigation among Malaysian Free-Ranging Wild Boar and Wild Macaques at Wildlife-Livestock-Human Interface

“…The extraction of MAC members from the blood showed how ubiquitous these environmental bacteria could be. Many studies showed that M. avium positive samples by PCR were detected from tissues of macaques [ 9 , 10 , 58 , 59 ]. For this reason, epidemiological studies about MAC are important for public health concerns [ 60 ].…”

“…paratuberculosis (MAP) [ 9 ]. Members of MAC are not species-specific and are frequently associated with animal or human diseases that resemble tuberculous-like lesions in lymph nodes and parenchymatous organs [ 10 ]. Various outbreaks of MAC infection have been reported in humans and NHP worldwide [ 9 , 10 , 11 ]; however, the relevance of free-ranging NHP for MAC transmission among animals and to humans is unclear [ 12 , 13 , 14 ].…”

Mycobacterium avium Subspecies paratuberculosis in Asymptomatic Zoo Herbivores in Poland

“…The most commonly affected species are ruminants; however, other mammals are also susceptible [ 2 , 3 ]. In zoos, paratuberculosis has been confirmed among Bovidae [ 4 , 5 , 6 ], Cervidae [ 7 ] Giraffidae [ 8 , 9 ], Camelidae [ 10 , 11 ], Rhinocerotidae [ 12 , 13 ], and Rodentia [ 1 , 2 ].…”