Battling Bovine Tuberculosis: Modern Approaches to Diagnosis and Control

Mahendra Pal^1, , Motuma Regassa², Mulugeta Gizachewu³, Kumasa Shifara², Ravindra Zende⁴, Aishwarya Nair⁴ and Giovanni Sgroi⁵

¹Narayan Consultancy on Veterinary Public Health and Microbiology, Bharuch, Gujarat, India

²Toke Kutaye Woreda Agricultural Office, Guder, West Shewa Zone, Ambo, Oromia, Ethiopia

³School of Veterinary Medicine, Ambo University Guder Mamo Mezemir Campus Veterinary Teaching Clinic, Ambo, Ethiopia

⁴Department of Veterinary Public Health, Mumbai Veterinary College, Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

⁵Animal Health Department, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, 2 Via della Salute, 80055 Portici (Naples), Italy

Cite this paper:
Mahendra Pal, Motuma Regassa, Mulugeta Gizachewu, Kumasa Shifara, Ravindra Zende, Aishwarya Nair and Giovanni Sgroi. Battling Bovine Tuberculosis: Modern Approaches to Diagnosis and Control. American Journal of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology. 2025; 13(1):5-14. doi: 10.12691/ajidm-13-1-2

Abstract

Bacterial zoonoses have serious implications on human and animal health, and are significant causes of morbidity as well as mortality in developing and developed nations of the world. Bovine tuberculosis (BTB) caused by Mycobacterium bovis is a chronic highly infectious bacterial disease, which affects both people and animals. This disease primarily affects animals, though it can also occasionally harm humans. It is extensively distributed around the world. BTB poses a threat to human health because of its potential for zoonotic diseases, impacts the ecology through wildlife transmission, and can have an effect on both the domestic and global economies. Its primary economic significance stems from its potential to directly impact animal reproduction, milk and meat output, and other related processes. Several methods, including the single intradermal test, comparative intradermal test, short thermal test and Stormont test, are typically used to diagnose tuberculosis in cattle. Methods that enable direct identification of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex are blood-based diagnostic technique such as gamma interferon assays, enzyme-Linked immunosorbent assays, lymphocyte proliferation assay, Culture of Mycobacterium, and molecular tests like polymerase chain reactions. Variable number tandem, restriction fragment length polymorphism and spoligotyping methods utilized for simultaneous strain-level mycobacterium species detection and typing are called repeat typing. A conclusive diagnosis requires the identification of M. bovis using biochemical, molecular, and cultural methods. The workers in slaughterhouses, veterinary clinics, and agriculture can prevent occupational infections by protecting themselves from airborne pathogens. The management of humans and animals' environments, together with immunization, is the key component for disease control and prevention.

Keywords:
Bovine tuberculosis Control Diagnosis Mycobacterium bovis Prevention Public health Zoonotic implications

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