Mycobacterium bovis at the animal–human interface : a problem, or not?

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Authors

Michel, Anita Luise
Muller, Borna
Van Helden, Paul David

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Elsevier

Abstract

Mycobacterium bovis is a pathogen of significant importance in livestock and a wide range of wild animal species worldwide. It is also known to cause tuberculosis disease in humans, a fact which has raised renewed concerns regarding the zoonotic risk for humans, especially those living at the animal-human interface. This review consolidates recent reports in the literature mainly on animal and zoonotic tuberculosis with an emphasis on evolution, epidemiology, treatment and diagnosis. The information presented reveals the fundamental differences in the complexity and level at which the disease affects the economy, ecosystem and human population of regions where animal tuberculosis control is achieved and regions where little or no control is implemented. In conclusion the review suggests that bovine tuberculosis has essentially been reduced to a disease of economic importance in the developed world, while low-income countries are facing a multifaceted impact which potentially affects the health of livestock, humans and ecosystems and which is likely to increase in the presence of debilitating diseases such as HIV/AIDS and other factors which negatively affect human livelihoods.

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Keywords

Zoonotic tuberculosis, Livestock/human interface, Wildlife tuberculosis

Sustainable Development Goals

Citation

Michel, A.L., et al., Mycobacterium bovis at the animal–human interface : A problem, or not?. Veterinary Microbiology, vol. 140, no. 3-4, pp. 371-381(2010), doi:10.1016/j.vetmic.2009.08.029