Tuberculosis in Antelopes in a Zoo in Poland – Problem of Public Health

Abstract

A b s t r a c tBovine tuberculosis is an infectious disease that occurs in many species of both domestic and wild animals, as well as those held in capti vity. The etiological factor is the acid resistant bacillus (Mycobacterium bovis or Mycobacterium caprae), which is characterized by the major pathogenicity among mycobacteria belonging to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. The material from 8 antelopes from the zoo, suspected for tuberculosis were examined, and M. bovis strains were isolated from 6 of them. The spoligotyping method showing spoligo pattern 676763777777600. In Poland, this spoligotype has not been observed so far.K e y w o r d s: Mycobacterium bovis, antelopes, MTBC, public health, zoo

Molecular characterisation of Mycobacterium caprae strains isolated in Poland

“…In 2010, in the Silesian Zoo, M bovis was isolated from six antelopes. 29 The tapirs did not show any signs of disease and, for this reason, they were not included in the planned tuberculin research tests, prepared in accordance with the applicable Polish regulations. In the absence of these data, it is impossible to state whether the animals became infected in the parent location or in the new zoo.…”

Tuberculosis in Polish Zoos as Health Risk for Humans

“…In 2010, tuberculosis was identified in 6 antelopes and 3 giraffes in the Silesian zoo [19,27]. The molecular analysis allowed for determining the genetic pattern of the strain isolated from alpaca, which was identical to the MIRU pattern of the strain isolated from one of the three giraffes [19].…”

Animal Tuberculosis as a Potential Danger to Men

“…Over the last 20 years, bovine tuberculosis has been found in the following zoos: Gdansk ZOO, Poznan ZOO, Wroclaw ZOO and Chorzow ZOO [17][18][19].…”