ZOONOTIC TUBERCULOSIS: A COMPREHENSIVE OVERVIEW

Zoonotic tuberculosis, caused primarily by Mycobacterium bovis and occasionally Mycobacterium caprae and other non-tuberculous mycobacteria, is an intricate and multifaceted public health concern. The disease primarily affects livestock such as cattle, goats, and buffalo, which serve as reservoirs for the bacterium, leading to the potential for human infection through direct or indirect contact with infected animals or consumption of contaminated animal products. This chapter provides a comprehensive examination of zoonotic tuberculosis, covering its historical context, epidemiology, transmission dynamics, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and control strategies.