Diseases Caused by Bacteria in Cattle: Tuberculosis DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.82051

the membrane, where hybridization takes place. Another line probe assay is INNOLiPa Mycobacteria (Innogenetics, Ghent, Belgium). Line probe assays are convenient in that they can detect many species of mycobacteria simulta-

AccuProbe (GEN-Probe, San Diego, California, USA), is an in-solution hybridization assay. DNA probes consisting of species-specific, single-stranded DNA oligonucleotides are prepared complementary to ribosomal RNA released from bacterial cultures and labeled with acridinum ester (chemiluminescent). Hybridization is measured by chemiluminescence using a luminometer and expressed as relative light units (RLU). The test can be performed on culture growing from broth or solid media and will detect all members of MTBC but without differentiating the species. However, since no nucleic acid amplification occurs in the assay, identifi-

Real-time commercial PCR kits are also available for direct detection in clinical specimens and pathological specimens but can also be used for identification of cultures. The current available kits detect MTBC but not individual

Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) or spoligotyping distinguishes between phenotypically different strains of M. bovis [71]. It is designed to detect the unique spacers within the direct repeat (DR) locus of the M. bovis genome [72] and is a useful epidemiological tool, in that it indicates strains circu-

DNA tests are more rapid and reliable than the conventional identification methods, but are still limited to the postmortem diagnosis of the infection, in that, tissue samples or isolates are still required. Extraction and detection DNA in nasal

Economic losses due to tuberculosis in cattle worldwide are estimated at more than US \$3 billion annually [74]. This may be an underestimate since losses in many developing countries have not been examined sufficiently or studied at all. Loss of productivity of infected animals includes reduced milk yields, meat production, and reduced fertility. Among dairy cattle, milk production may decrease between 4 and 18%. Other direct losses include mortalities, infertility, calf mortalities, additional processing for infected animals, and condemnation of carcasses at slaughterhouses. Export market restrictions constitute nontariff barriers to trade. The cost of control involves meat inspection, test and slaughter of positive animals, pasteurization of milk, and compensation schemes to farmers. The public health cost include cost of treatment, mortality, loss of incomes and livelihoods, food insecurity, stigmatization as well as extra working hours for those attending to sick humans [75, 76]. Globally, 147,000 new cases of zoonotic TB in humans were estimated in 2016, resulting in 12,500 deaths. Most of the cases were in the African followed by the

Bovine tuberculosis is listed under the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code. Control should be aimed at reducing prevalence in animals in order to prevent transmission to humans. The recommended control method in livestock is continuous detection and slaughter of infected animals [28]. Postmortem meat inspection

swab samples, milk, lymph node aspirates may however be achieved [73].

lating in a population, and therefore the transmission patterns.

neously. The strips can also be conveniently dried and preserved.

cation requires sufficient growth.

Bacterial Cattle Diseases

11. Economic impact

South-East Asian region [43].

12. Control

76

species.

and pasteurization of milk is an effective method of preventing infected animal products from entering the food chain. Meat inspection can allow trace-back to the herd of origin, which can then be tested and eliminated. Individual testing of cattle and removal of infected and in-contact animals, coupled with animal movement controls reduces prevalence [28]. Testing and slaughter may, however, not be tenable in poor countries because of insufficient financial resources, pastoral production method that is characterized by uncontrolled movement of animals, weak veterinary institutions and political instability [28]. Further, in developing countries especially in Africa, cattle are raised together with sheep and goats, which act as reservoirs and are not targets for test and slaughter.
