2. Definition

Tuberculosis is an infectious, chronic or acute, localized or disseminated granulomatous disease that affects mammals, fish, and birds, caused by members of the genus Mycobacterium. In cattle, the disease is caused by obligatory pathogenic and opportunistic species of mycobacteria. Animals affected by the disseminated infection progressively emaciate and finally succumb to the infection. The importance of the disease is its zoonosis and the economic losses it causes.
