title: Zoonotic tuberculosis in human beings caused by Mycobacterium bovis-a call for action.
abstract: Mycobacterium tuberculosis is recognised as the primary cause of human tuberculosis worldwide. However, substantial evidence suggests that the burden of Mycobacterium bovis, the cause of bovine tuberculosis, might be underestimated in human beings as the cause of zoonotic tuberculosis. In 2013, results from a systematic review and meta-analysis of global zoonotic tuberculosis showed that the same challenges and concerns expressed 15 years ago remain valid. These challenges faced by people with zoonotic tuberculosis might not be proportional to the scientific attention and resources allocated in recent years to other diseases. The burden of zoonotic tuberculosis in people needs important reassessment, especially in areas where bovine tuberculosis is endemic and where people live in conditions that favour direct contact with infected animals or animal products. As countries move towards detecting the 3 million tuberculosis cases estimated to be missed annually, and in view of WHO's end TB strategy endorsed by the health authorities of WHO Member States in 2014 to achieve a world free of tuberculosis by 2035, we call on all tuberculosis stakeholders to act to accurately diagnose and treat tuberculosis caused by M bovis in human beings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences and Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA. Electronic address: folea@colostate.edu.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Olea-Popelka
authors.affiliation: Genetics and Genomics, Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Muwonge
authors.affiliation: United States Embassy, Mexico City, Mexico; US Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Mexico City, Mexico.
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Perera
authors.affiliation: Global TB Programme, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Anna S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Dean
authors.affiliation: Department of Global Capacities, Alert, and Response, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mumford
authors.affiliation: World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), Paris, France.
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Erlacher-Vindel
authors.affiliation: World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), Paris, France.
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Forcella
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Benjamin J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Silk
authors.affiliation: STOP TB Partnership, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Lucica
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ditiu
authors.affiliation: Animal Production and Health Division, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: El Idrissi
authors.affiliation: Global TB Programme, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Raviglione
authors.affiliation: Pan American Foot and Mouth Disease Center (PANAFTOSA), Pan American Health Organization/Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization, Duque de Caxias, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ottorino
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Cosivi
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: LoBue
authors.affiliation: International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Paula I
authors.initials: PI
authors.lastname: Fujiwara
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D006801:Humans; D009163:Mycobacterium bovis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014380:Tuberculosis, Bovine / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000453:epidemiology*