Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 23, 2026

Isolation and Characterization of the Natural Microbiota of the Model Nematode Caenorhabditis elegans
Published on: August 17, 2022
Earthworms (Oligochaeta, Lumbricidae) and mycobacteria
O A Fischer1, L Matlova, J Bartl
1Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, 62132 Brno, Czech Republic.
Abstract:
The objective of the study was to define the role of earthworms in the survival of mycobacteria in animal populations. In 13 sampling sites mycobacteria were detected in 53 (5.5%) samples of faeces and parenchymatous tissues from animals, in 25 (7.3%) environmental and in nine (8.2%) earthworm samples. In cattle and goat farms affected by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (M. paratuberculosis) of IS900 restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) type B-C1 was isolated from 37 (4.6%) faecal samples, three (1.4%) environmental and one (3.1%) earthworm sample. Investigations of aviaries affected by avian tuberculosis detected M. avium of genotype IS901+ and IS1245+ in six (7.9%) bird's faecal and in four (4.4%) environmental samples. M. avium (genotype IS901- and IS1245+) was detected in four (4.4%) and M. abscessus in one (1.1%) environmental sample. M. avium of genotype IS901- and IS1245+ and M. gastri were isolated from three (6.4%) earthworm samples. In pig farm with mycobacteriosis M. avium of genotype IS901- and IS1245+ was detected in five (20.0%) faecal samples from pigs and in four (12.9%) environmental samples. M. scrofulaceum was isolated in one (4.6%) sample of Lumbricus rubellus. In laboratory experiments identical RFLP types of M. paratuberculosis were isolated from bodies and faeces of earthworms 1-2 days after the last contact with the faeces contaminated with the same RFLP type of M. paratuberculosis. The results suggest that earthworms may become vectors of mycobacteria.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Bacterial Phylum Planctomycetes
Bacterial Phylum Actinobacteria
Bacterial Phylum Tenericutes
Bacterial Phylum Verrucomicrobiota
Microbial Interactions: Cooperation
Microbiota of the Large Intestine

