The Knowledge of Tuberculosis in Pinnipeds

ABSTRACT Infectious diseases, especially zoonoses, have gained attention after the COVID‐19 pandemic. The One Health approach is crucial for understanding and preventing infectious agent spread. The Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC), has been reported in pinnipeds. This updated systematic review aimed to: Summarize cases of tuberculosis (TB) in pinnipeds reported in scientific literature worldwide from 1913 to 2024. To map the geographical distribution of cases and identify geographical gaps in the detection of MTBC in this group of marine mammals. Record the diagnostic techniques used to detect disease and the etiological agent, depending on whether the animals were in captivity or free‐living conditions. We conducted a systematic review following standardised protocols across major scientific databases, using four keyword strings. We included literature reporting TB cases in pinnipeds over a period of 111 years. Two mycobacteria ( M. pinnipedii and M. bovis ), belonging to MTBC, were documented in 12 pinniped species from 12 countries, as well as M. smegmatis . Argentina and Australia stand out as the countries with the most publications documenting TB in pinnipeds. Among the 12 countries, New Zealand stands out by reporting infections in wild and captive individuals of five pinniped species. Our results indicate that zoonotic TB is present in several regions; however, we identified important geographic information gaps in areas with a high density of pinnipeds. We highlights the role of pinnipeds as both susceptible hosts and vectors of TB, a globally distributed disease that affects wild and captive populations. The presence of TB in these populations represents a significant risk to both animal and public health, particularly in regions with intense human‐wildlife interactions, such as ecotourism areas, rehabilitation centers, and wildlife parks.