title: DIAGNOSIS AND IMPLICATIONS OF MYCOBACTERIUM BOVIS INFECTION IN BANDED MONGOOSES (MUNGOS MUNGO) IN THE KRUGER NATIONAL PARK, SOUTH AFRICA.
abstract: Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) was first diagnosed in the Kruger National Park (KNP) in 1990. Research has since focused on the maintenance host, the African buffalo ( Syncerus caffer ) and clinically affected lion ( Panthera leo ). However, little is known about the role of small predators in tuberculosis epidemiology. During 2011-12, we screened banded mongooses ( Mungos mungo ) in the bTB high-prevalence zone of the KNP for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex members. Fecal swabs, tracheal swabs, and tracheal lavages of 76 banded mongooses caught in cage traps within a 2-km radius of Skukuza Rest Camp were submitted for Mycobacterium culture, isolation, and species identification. Lesions and lymph node samples collected from 12 animals at postmortem examination were submitted for culture and histopathology. In lung and lymph nodes of two banded mongooses, well demarcated, irregularly margined, gray-yellow nodules of up to 5 mm diameter were identified with either central necrosis or calcification, characterized on histopathology as caseating necrosis with epithelioid macrophages or necrogranuloma with calcified centre. No acid fast bacteria were identified with Ziehl-Neelsen stain. We isolated Mycobacterium bovis from lung, lymph node, and liver samples, as well as from tracheal lavages and tracheal swab from the same two banded mongooses. Blood samples were positive by ElephantTB STAT-PAK® Assay for 12 and Enferplex™ TB Assay for five animals. Only the two banded mongooses positive on pathology and M. bovis culture were positive on both serologic assays. We provide evidence of bTB infection in banded mongooses in the KNP, demonstrate their ability to shed M. bovis , and propose a possible antemortem diagnostic algorithm. Our findings open the discussion around possible sources of infection and their significance at the human/wildlife interface in and around Skukuza.
authors: 1   National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, 232 Boom Street, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.|2   Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Old Soutpan Road, Onderstepoort, Pretoria 0110, South Africa.
authors: Angela C
authors: AC
authors: Brüns
authors: 3   Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Am Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald, Isle Riems, Germany.
authors: Manfred
authors: M
authors: Tanner
authors: 4   Section of Pathology, Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, Pretoria 0110, South Africa.
authors: Mark C
authors: MC
authors: Williams
authors: 5   South Africa Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Centre for Tuberculosis (TB) Research, Department of Science and Technology (DST)/National Research Foundation (NRF) Centre of Excellence for TB Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Francie van Zijl Avenue, Tygerberg, Cape Town 7505, South Africa.
authors: Louise
authors: L
authors: Botha
authors: 6   Enfer Scientific, Unit T, M7 Business Park, Newhall, Naas, County Kildare, Ireland W91FD74.
authors: Amanda
authors: A
authors: O'Brien
authors: 7   Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Old Soutpan Road, Onderstepoort, Pretoria 0110, South Africa.
authors: Geoffrey T
authors: GT
authors: Fosgate
authors: 5   South Africa Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Centre for Tuberculosis (TB) Research, Department of Science and Technology (DST)/National Research Foundation (NRF) Centre of Excellence for TB Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Francie van Zijl Avenue, Tygerberg, Cape Town 7505, South Africa.
authors: Paul D
authors: PD
authors: van Helden
authors: 6   Enfer Scientific, Unit T, M7 Business Park, Newhall, Naas, County Kildare, Ireland W91FD74.
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Clarke
authors: 2   Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Old Soutpan Road, Onderstepoort, Pretoria 0110, South Africa.
authors: Anita L
authors: AL
authors: Michel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D008988:Herpestidae / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D009163:Mycobacterium bovis / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D000068316:Parks, Recreational; D013019:South Africa; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000662:veterinary*
keywords: Banded mongoose; Enferplex; Kruger National Park; Mungos mungo; Mycobacterium bovis; STAT-PAK