Will we ever eradicate animal tuberculosis?

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Epidemiology
• Infectious Diseases
• One Health

Background:

• The Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) exhibits environmental survival and infects diverse hosts, complicating tuberculosis (TB) control.
• While industrialized nations often achieve TB-free status, M. bovis infections persist globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
• Existing animal TB control programs face challenges due to high costs and ethical considerations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To advocate for a paradigm shift in TB epidemiology and control, moving beyond single-host focus.
• To propose a comprehensive, multi-host, and environmental approach to MTC maintenance and transmission.
• To outline modern, integrated disease control strategies for complex TB scenarios.

Main Methods:

• Review of MTC characteristics relevant to transmission and host range.
• Analysis of the global animal TB situation and control program limitations.
• Postulation of a multi-host maintenance community model for MTC.

Main Results:

• MTC's environmental resilience and broad host tropism create complex transmission dynamics.
• A multi-host-environment system is proposed for MTC maintenance, involving wild, domestic animals, and the environment.
• Current control strategies are often insufficient in complex epidemiological settings.

Conclusions:

• Integrated disease control requires a holistic approach encompassing farmers, multiple host species, and the environment.
• Modern TB control should transition from single-tool methods to integrated strategies, including biosafety and vaccination.
• Collaborative decision-making and expanded surveillance are crucial for effective MTC management.