Microbiological and molecular monitoring for bovine tuberculosis in the Polish population of European bison (Bison bonasus)

Introduction and objective In recent years, bovine tuberculosis (BTB) has become one of the major health hazards facing the European bison (EB, Bison bonasus), a vulnerable species that requires active protection, including regular and effective health monitoring. Monitoring of zoonotic disease in wildlife is also an important part of public health protection. The aim of the study was to determine whether BTB still influences the EB population in Poland. Material and methods During 2017-2019, mandibular, retropharyngeal and mediastinal lymph nodes were collected from 90 EB during post-mortem examination, and then cultivated on Lowenstein-Jensen and Stonebrink media. Isolated strains were subjected to molecular analysis to determine the species, spoligotype and MIRU-VNTR pattern. Results Lesions were found in lymph nodes originating from eight EB (8.89%). Positive microbiological cultures for mycobacteria were obtained in samples from six (6.67%) EB. The isolated strains were identified as Mycobacterium caprae (material from four EB) and atypical mycobacteria (material from two EB). For M. caprae strains spoligotype M. bovis 4_CA 1600 was identified and the MIRU-VNTR pattern was identified as 345751355413232. Conclusions It is recommended that this potentially dangerous disease should be monitored in EB via a comprehensive strategy based on a combination of microbiological and molecular methods. Such monitoring will protect the health of both animals and humans.