An international team of researchers has recently published a pioneering study in the journal Emerging Microbes & Infections demonstrating the presence of environmental DNA of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of human tuberculosis, in habitats of wild gorillas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

 

The work, carried out as part of a broad international public–private collaboration, has employed an innovative methodology based on environmental sampling sponges. This approach reveals the existence of a direct epidemiological link between human tuberculosis and that detected in non-human primates, representing a key advance in understanding diseases at the human–wildlife interface.

 

An example of international scientific cooperation

 

• The study involved researchers from institutions across Europe and Africa, highlighting collaboration between:
• Institute for Game and Wildlife Research (IREC-CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain.
• National Centre for Microbiology (CNM, ISCIII), Majadahonda, Spain.
• Visavet Health surveillance Centre and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCM), Madrid, Spain.
• Clinical Microbiology Laboratories (AP-HP), Bobigny, France.
• Université Catholique de Lwiro, Institut Supérieur des Techniques Médicales de Bukavu, Lwiro Primate Rehabilitation Center (LPRC), Centre de Recherche en Sciences Naturelles de Lwiro (CRSN Lwiro), and Kahuzi-Biega National Park, South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• University of Kinshasa (Unikin), Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

 

This collaboration has enabled the integration of expertise in human health, animal health, and clinical microbiology under a One Health approach, essential for addressing diseases shared between species. In the field of tuberculosis, it highlights collaboration between Spain’s reference laboratory for human tuberculosis (CNM, ISCIII) and the European Union Reference Laboratory (EURL) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) reference laboratory for animal tuberculosis (Visavet, UCM).

 

Key role of Visavet: innovation, training and knowledge transfer

 

The Visavet Centre has played a central role in the study, designing and validating a biosecure, non-invasive environmental sampling methodology based on environmental DNA (eDNA). This approach has enabled detection of the bacterium's genetic material on surfaces, in faeces, and in environmental samples without the need to handle animals. It has also contributed to the development and application of advanced molecular techniques for pathogen detection and characterisation.

 

Training of Master’s students and early-career researchers has been another key component, enhancing their skills in innovative health surveillance tools and supporting the transfer of technology and knowledge to international partners, facilitating its application in complex environments such as Central Africa.

 

This environmental sampling methodology has proven to be sensitive, accessible, and particularly useful in contexts where direct access to animals is limited, opening new possibilities for epidemiological surveillance.

 

Public–private collaboration has also been fundamental to the project’s success, notably through partnerships with Spanish companies Genetic Analysis Strategies S.L., involved in technology design, and Maeva Servet S.L., responsible for validation.

 

Results with impact on global health and conservation

 

The study analysed 178 environmental samples collected from hospitals, local communities, primate rehabilitation centres, and national parks, detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA in more than one third of the samples.

 

Of particular significance is the identification of shared genetic patterns between humans and gorillas, suggesting cross-species transmission and reinforcing the need for integrated control strategies.

Furthermore, this represents the first detection of tuberculosis DNA in wild gorillas, with important implications for the conservation of these critically endangered species.

 

Commitment to academic cooperation and development in Africa

 

In this context, the involvement of the Complutense University of Madrid, through Visavet, and collaboration with the University of Castilla-La Mancha and its African Master’s students, aligns with UCM’s strategic commitment to the Complutense African School. This initiative aims to establish a strong framework for academic cooperation between Spain and Africa, promoting advanced education, knowledge transfer, and capacity building in African countries.

 

Studies such as this, along with other recent collaborations in the Congo on human mpox control, tangibly reflect this commitment, contributing to strengthening scientific and healthcare institutional capacities in Africa and consolidating long-term collaborative networks under the One Health approach.

 

Collaborative science for global challenges

 

This work exemplifies how collaboration between public institutions, research centres, hospitals, and international organisations enables the tackling of complex global health challenges.

 

Visavet thus reaffirms its role as an international leader in animal health and the One Health approach, contributing to the development of innovative tools that improve the surveillance, prevention, and control of emerging diseases at the human–animal interface.

 

Further information:

 

Environmental DNA reveals tuberculosis risk at the human–great ape interface in Africa. Institute for Game and Wildlife Research.
https://www.irec.es/publicaciones-destacadas/adn-ambiental-tuberculosis-interfaz-humanos-grandes-simios-africa/

 

Non-invasive environmental DNA sampling reveals tuberculosis risks at the human–great ape interface in Africa. Emerging Microbes & Infections, 15 (1), 2026.
https://doi.org/10.1080/22221751.2026.2645874

 

Complutense African School. Universidad Complutense Madrid.
https://www.ucm.es/eca/