Mycobacterial Diseases
Open Access

Bovine Tuberculosis: Causes, Transmission, and Impacts of Mycobacterium bovis on Animals and Humans

Macroni Laco^{* *}Correspondence: Macroni Laco, Department of Surgery, University of California, Irvine, USA, Email:

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Description

Mycobacterium bovis, commonly known as bovine tuberculosis, is a bacterial species that primarily affects cattle but can also infect other mammals, including humans. It is a slow-growing, aerobic bacterium that belongs to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex (MTBC), which includes several species of bacteria that cause tuberculosis in humans and animals.

Transmission

The bacterium is transmitted through inhalation of aerosolized respiratory secretions or ingestion of contaminated milk or meat from infected animals. It can also spread from animal to animal through direct contact, such as nose-to-nose contact or through infected body fluids.

Symptoms in animals

In cattle, the disease can cause a range of symptoms, including coughing, weight loss, lethargy, and decreased milk production. However, many infected animals may not show any symptoms at all. The bacteria can be detected through skin testing or blood testing, and infected animals are typically culled to prevent the spread of the disease.

Impact on humans

While bovine tuberculosis is primarily a disease of animals, it can also affect humans who come into contact with infected animals or consume contaminated milk or meat. In humans, the disease primarily affects the lungs but can also affect other organs, such as the lymph nodes and bones. Symptoms include coughing, fever, weight loss, and night sweats. The incidence of human cases of bovine tuberculosis has declined significantly in developed countries with the implementation of effective control measures, such as the pasteurization of milk and the culling of infected animals. However, the disease remains a significant public health concern in developing countries where control measures may be lacking.

Diagnosis and treatment

Diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis in animals and humans typically involves laboratory testing, such as skin testing, blood testing, or imaging studies. Treatment typically involves a combination of antibiotics, such as isoniazid, rifampin, and ethambutol, for a period of several months to a year or more.

Prevention and control

Prevention and control of bovine tuberculosis involves a combination of measures, including:

• Testing and culling of infected animals.

• Quarantine and movement restrictions for infected herds.

• Vaccination of animals in some countries.

• Control of wildlife populations that can carry the disease, such as badgers in the UK.

• Education of farmers and the public on the risks of the disease and how to prevent its spread.

In some countries, such as the UK, bovine tuberculosis is a significant concern for farmers and the government. The disease has been linked to the spread of the disease in wildlife populations, particularly badgers, and has led to controversial culling programs aimed at reducing the incidence of the disease in cattle. Mycobacterium bovis, the causative agent of bovine tuberculosis, is a significant concern for farmers, veterinarians, and public health officials worldwide. While the disease can cause significant economic losses in the agricultural industry, it also poses a risk to human health. Prevention and control measures, including testing and culling of infected animals, quarantine and movement restrictions, and education of farmers and the public, are essential to reducing the incidence of the disease in both animals and humans.