Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex Infection in Eurasian Badger (Meles meles) and Cattle in Asturias, Spain
Animals publish this investigation article
April 30th, 2021
The present work investigated the prevalence, spatial distribution, and temporal distribution of tuberculosis (TB) in free-ranging Eurasian badgers (Meles meles) and cattle in Asturias (Atlantic Spain) during a 13-year follow-up. The study objective was to assess the role of badgers as a TB reservoir for cattle and other sympatric wild species in the region. Between 2008 and 2020, 673 badgers (98 trapped and 575 killed in road traffic accidents) in Asturias were necropsied, and their tissue samples were cultured for the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) isolation. Serum samples were tested in an in-house indirect P22 ELISA to detect antibodies against the MTC. In parallel, data on MTC isolation and single intradermal tuberculin test results were extracted for cattle that were tested and culled as part of the Spanish National Program for the Eradication of Bovine TB. A total of 27/639 badgers (4.23%) were positive for MTC based on bacterial isolation, while 160/673 badgers (23.77%) were found to be positive with the P22 ELISA. The rate of seropositivity was higher among adult badgers than subadults. Badger TB status was spatially and temporally associated with cattle TB status. Our results cannot determine the direction of possible interspecies transmission, but they are consistent with the idea that the two hosts may exert infection pressure on each other. This study highlights the importance of the wildlife monitoring of infection and disease during epidemiological interventions in order to optimize outcomes
Blanco-Vazquez C., Doria-Barral T., Romero B., Queipo M., Merediz I., Quiros P., Armenteros JA., Juste R., Dominguez L., Dominguez M., Casais R. and Balseiro A.
 | Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA). Gobierno del Principado de Asturias. |
| Laboratório de Imunologia e Biologia Molecular. Instituto de Ciências da Saúde. Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia. | |
| Servicio de Sanidad y Producción Animal. Gobierno del Principado de Asturias. |
| Laboratorio de Sanidad Animal. Gobierno del Principado de Asturias. |
| Dirección General del Medio Natural y Planificación Rural. Gobierno del Principado de Asturias. |
 | Animal Health Department. Instituto Vasco de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario (NEIKER). Gobierno Vasco. |
 | Departamento de Sanidad Animal. Facultad de Veterinaria. Universidad Complutense (UCM). |
 | Servicio de Inmunología. Centro Nacional de Microbiología (CNM). Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII). |
| Servicio de Micobacterias (MYC). Centro de Vigilancia Sanitaria Veterinaria (VISAVET). Universidad Complutense (UCM). |
 | Departamento de Sanidad Animal. Facultad de Veterinaria. Universidad de León. |
 | Departamento de Sanidad Animal. Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC). |
