Zoonotic Tuberculosis - The Changing Landscape

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Public Health
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Zoonotic tuberculosis (zTB) is a significant global health issue, often overlooked despite slow reductions in active human cases.
• High incidence occurs in regions with close human-cattle proximity, poverty, and unpasteurized dairy consumption, primarily due to Mycobacterium bovis.
• Emerging zoonotic mycobacterial strains, like M. orygis, in South Asia and Africa require immediate attention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the underestimated global burden of zoonotic tuberculosis (zTB).
• To emphasize the impact of increasing dairy production and consumption on zTB incidence.
• To call for urgent assessment of novel zoonotic mycobacterial strains and development of targeted interventions.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on zTB prevalence, drivers, and risk factors.
• Analysis of the role of dairy production and consumption patterns in zTB transmission.
• Examination of control strategies for Mycobacterium bovis in cattle and emerging strains.

Main Results:

• Zoonotic TB incidence is linked to human-cattle proximity, poverty, and unpasteurized dairy consumption.
• Global dairy production growth and demand in low-income countries may increase zTB.
• New zoonotic mycobacterial strains (e.g., M. orygis) are emerging, necessitating prevalence assessment.

Conclusions:

• Urgent assessment of emerging zoonotic mycobacterial strains and their drivers is critical for intervention development.
• Control of M. bovis in cattle via "detect and cull" policies and animal vaccination are key strategies.
• New diagnostics for animal and human infections, alongside addressing reverse zoonosis, are vital for comprehensive zTB management.