Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Research Associate, ADMaC, Department of Veterinary Microbiology, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Ghy-22
2
HOD, Department of Vety. Microbiology, CVSc,AAU, Ghy-22, India
3
3.Asstt.professor, Department of Vety. Microbiology, CVSc,AAU, Ghy-22, India
4
Associate professor, Department of Vety. Microbiology, CVSc,AAU, Ghy-22, India
5
Asstt.professor, Department of Animal Biotechnology, CVSc,AAU, Ghy-22, India
6
Asstt.professor, Department of Vety. Microbiology, CVSc,AAU, Ghy-22, India
7
PhD, Research Associate, ADMaC, CVSc,AAU, Ghy-22, India
8
pathologist, Assam State Zoo, Guwahati, India
9
Asstt.professor, Department of Vety. Pathology, CVSc,AAU, Ghy-22, India
10
Senior Scientist, ICAR research complex for NEH region, Meghalaya, India
10.30466/vrf.2025.2059566.4747
Abstract
Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a chronic bacterial disease primarily caused by Mycobacterium bovis, a member of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC), with significant zoonotic implications. This study aimed to detect MTBC in wildlife species, specifically Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus) and Sambar deer (Rusa unicolor), using gross pathology, histopathology, acid-fast staining and molecular confirmation. Necropsied tissue samples were collected during post-mortem examination of a Nilgai and a Sambar deer from Assam State Zoo, India. Macroscopically, multiple granulomatous tubercles of varying sizes were observed in the lungs and liver, with creamy white caseous material marked upon sectioning. Ziehl-Neelsen staining of tissue smears from granulomatous lesions confirmed the presence of acid-fast bacilli. Microscopic examination of TB granulomas revealed a central necrotic mass surrounded by inflammatory cell infiltration, including Langerhans-type giant cells. Molecular confirmation of MTBC infection was achieved by amplifying hsp65 and IS1081 in tissue samples, further validated by nBLAST analysis following Sanger dideoxynucleotide sequencing. In conclusion, this study confirmed the presence of tuberculosis in these wildlife species through an integrated approach combining pathology, microbiology and molecular diagnostics, highlighting the need to understand pathogen entry into the herd and prevent potential spillover.
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