Tuberculosis: the disease and its epidemiology in the badger, a review.
The data accumulated from 1972 to 1987 on the distribution and prevalence of tuberculosis in the badger population in Great Britain is reviewed. The current information on the influence of Mycobacterium bovis infection on badger population dynamics and its clinical effect on badgers is also summarized. The results of these reviews indicate that M. bovis is endemic in the British badger population and that the badger is an ideal maintenance host for M. bovis. The studies in progress to obtain a fuller understanding of the epidemiology of tuberculosis in badgers are also described.
Cheeseman
C L
CL
Worplesdon Laboratory, Guildford, Surrey.
Wilesmith
J W
JW
Stuart
F A
FA
D000818:Animals; D002335:Carnivora; D002417:Cattle; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D009163:Mycobacterium bovis; D012621:Seasons; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D014380:Tuberculosis, Bovine / Q000635:transmission; D006113:United Kingdom