title: An outbreak of bovine tuberculosis in a fallow deer herd (Dama dama) in Sicily.
abstract: Wild ruminants have an important role in the epidemiology of bovine tuberculosis (bTB). This study describes an outbreak of bovine tuberculosis occurring in a fallow deer herd in Sicily. In 2012 a Sicilian herd of 47 animals was referred for cachexia. Pathological examination of 2 dead animals revealed disseminated granulomas predominantly involving the skin and subcutaneous tissues. Tissue samples were submitted for histological analysis, bacteriological culture, and biomolecular assay. PCR analysis identified Mycobacterium strains. Genotyping by spoligotyping and MIRU-VNTR profiles identified Mycobacterium bovis spoligotype SB0120 in both animals. In 2014, bTB skin testing of 28 fallow deer from the same group was positive in 4 and inconclusive in another 4. All 8 positive/inconclusive reactors were euthanized. Disseminated granulomatous lesions were noted in 6 of these animals, 3 of which (2 positive and 1 negative to skin tests) also presented cutaneous lesions. M. bovis spoligotype SB0120 was identified from all animals in which tuberculous-like lesions were observed, including 2 negative reactors. Many of the animals involved in this outbreak presented diffuse skin lesions, a potential route of transmission of M. bovis infection. Given the epidemiological role wildlife play in the maintenance of bTB infection and its potential risk for humans, a comprehensive monitoring plan for this zoonosis in wildlife species in Sicily is needed.
authors.affiliation: Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via S. Andrea 96, Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto, ME 98051, Italy. Electronic address: benedetta_am@yahoo.it.
authors.forename: Benedetta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Amato
authors.affiliation: Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via S. Andrea 96, Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto, ME 98051, Italy.
authors.forename: Sebastian Alessandro
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Mignacca
authors.affiliation: National Reference Centre for Bovine Tuberculosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, Via Bianchi 7/9, Brescia 25124, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Lodovica
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Pacciarini
authors.affiliation: Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via S. Andrea 96, Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto, ME 98051, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vitale
authors.affiliation: Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via S. Andrea 96, Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto, ME 98051, Italy.
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Antoci
authors.affiliation: Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via S. Andrea 96, Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto, ME 98051, Italy.
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cucinotta
authors.affiliation: Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via S. Andrea 96, Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto, ME 98051, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Puleio
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, Largo Braccini 2 Grugliasco, TO 10095, Italy.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Biasibetti
authors.affiliation: Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via S. Andrea 96, Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto, ME 98051, Italy.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fiasconaro
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, Largo Braccini 2 Grugliasco, TO 10095, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Capucchio
authors.affiliation: Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via S. Andrea 96, Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto, ME 98051, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Di Marco Lo Presti
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D003670:Deer; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009163:Mycobacterium bovis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000068316:Parks, Recreational; D012802:Sicily / Q000453:epidemiology; D014374:Tuberculin Test / Q000662:veterinary; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*
keywords: Fallow deer; Mycobacterium bovis; Pathology; Skin test