Prevalence of tuberculosis in pigs slaughtered at two abattoirs in Ethiopia and molecular characterization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolated from tuberculous-like lesions in pigs

Abstract

BackgroundTuberculosis (TB) is an infectious, granulomatous disease caused by acid-fast bacilli of the genus Mycobacterium. The disease affects practically all species of vertebrates. Although mammalian tuberculosis has been nearly controlled in many developed countries, it is still a serious problem in humans and domestic animals including pigs in developing countries. In Ethiopia, the prevalence of TB in pigs is not known. Therefore, this study was designed to estimate the prevalence of TB in pigs in central Ethiopia and to characterize the causative agents using molecular techniques.ResultsThe estimated prevalence of TB was 5.8% (49/841). Age and origin of pigs were significantly associated (P<0.001) with the prevalence. In contrast, an association of sex, floor type and water source with the prevalence could not be shown. Culture positivity was confirmed in 30.6% (15/49) of the tuberculous-like lesions. Of the 15 isolates, 12 were acid fast positive while five of the latter were confirmed by multiplex PCR as members of the M. tuberculosis complex. Speciation of the five isolates further confirmed that they were M. tuberculosis, belonging to SIT1088 (two isolates) and SIT1195 (one isolate). The remaining two isolates belong to an identical spoligotype, the pattern of which was not found in the spoligotype database (SpolDB4).ConclusionsThe isolation of M. tuberculosis from pigs suggests a possible risk of transmission between humans and pigs. Hence, establishing feasible control methods is required.

Assessment of Pig Production and Constraints in Mecha District, Amhara Region, Northwestern Ethiopia

“…and as a reservoir host of Fasciola hepatica, an economically important parasite of ruminants. Also the works of Arega et al [6] isolated M. tuberculosis, an emerging zoonotic disease, at prevalence rate of 5.8% in pigs slaughtered at two abattoirs in central Ethiopia, suggesting the existence of possible risk of interspecies transmission particularly between pigs and humans. This situation has to be taken as critical taking the association between TB and HIV [6].…”

“…Hence, pork might contribute to food security and provide protein, but the animals might also constitute a financial safety net, fulfill a role in cultural traditions, or provide additional cash for school fees, medical treatment, or small investments. The domestic pig is an animal which has been very much neglected by the scientific community in Ethiopia; hence very few publications are available focusing mainly on gastrointestinal parasites [4,5]; prevalence of tuberculosis [6]; and production system and constraints in Tigray region [7]. Although pig production is less common in Ethiopia, small scale farmers with few pigs are not uncommon in towns and cities of Ethiopia.…”

Microbiomes of Unreactive and Pathologically Altered Ileocecal Lymph Nodes of Slaughter Pigs

“…The first immune response of MLNs to harmful microbiota is a reactive hyperplasia characterized by enlargement, soft consistency, and a protruding surface in dissection (16). Pathogens such as Salmonella, Mycobac-terium, and Lawsonia are known to cause unspecific enlargement of MLNs (17)(18)(19). Lymphadenitis purulenta is described to be caused mainly by pyogenic microorganisms, e.g., Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Actinomyces, or Fusobacterium (16,20).…”

A case of bovine tuberculosis in pigs in Poland – a country free from the disease

“…One in 50 slaughter pigs (2.0%) with suspected lesions in mesenteric lymph nodes was M.bovis infected [16]. The data obtained during the examination of pigs in Ethiopia indicate that they can not only be a source of bovine bacillus, but also the human type bacillus for other animal species and humans [17].…”