Tuberculosis in humans and animals: an overview.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Tuberculosis (TB) is a significant zoonotic disease affecting both humans and animals.
• Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis exhibit differential host specificity across various animal species.
• M. bovis is a major economic concern in livestock and wildlife, with limited data on its human incidence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the host susceptibility and transmission dynamics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis.
• To highlight the economic impact of M. bovis in animal populations.
• To emphasize the need for further investigation into the role of M. bovis in human TB, particularly in developing countries and in individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of host-pathogen interactions for M. tuberculosis and M. bovis.
• Analysis of economic implications of M. bovis in global animal health.
• Identification of research gaps concerning M. bovis transmission and human disease burden.

Main Results:

• Humans, primates, and guinea pigs are susceptible to M. tuberculosis, while cattle, rabbits, and cats are susceptible to M. bovis.
• Swine and dogs are susceptible to both M. tuberculosis and M. bovis.
• M. bovis contributes to a small fraction of human TB cases but has significant economic impact on animals; its human-to-human transmission is debated.

Conclusions:

• Understanding M. bovis epidemiology in animals is crucial for public health, especially in regions with high HIV prevalence.
• Targeted research is essential to clarify the contribution of M. bovis to human TB incidence.
• Control strategies include eradicating M. bovis in cattle and implementing dairy product pasteurization to prevent human infections.