Nationwide seroprevalence of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium in domestic sows and wild boars in Korea under a one health framework.

INTRODUCTION

Tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis and infections due to nontuberculous mycobacteria, particularly the Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), are increasingly recognized at the livestock-wildlife-human interface. In the Republic of Korea, bovine tuberculosis remains endemic in cattle, yet nationwide data on mycobacterial exposure in suids are lacking.

METHODS

Between February 2023 and November 2024, serum samples from 1,366 domestic sows and 1,168 wild boars collected across nine administrative provinces were analyzed using validated commercial ELISAs to estimate apparent seroprevalence.

RESULTS

Apparent seroprevalence of M. bovis was 4.54% (95% CI: 3.56%-5.78%) in domestic sows and 5.91% (95% CI: 4.69%-7.41%) in wild boars. Apparent seroprevalence of M. avium was 10.10% (95% CI: 8.61%-11.81%) in domestic sows and 7.71% (95% CI: 6.31%-9.38%) in wild boars. Significant provincial variation was detected only for M. avium in domestic sows and was driven by higher seropositivity in Gyeonggi Province, whereas no significant province-level heterogeneity was observed in wild boars.

DISCUSSION: Because ELISA-based serology reflects exposure rather than active infection, results should be interpreted with caution. In an international context, the observed seroprevalence in Korea was higher than that reported from intensive indoor production systems but lower than estimates from wildlife-rich ecosystems with established reservoir hosts. These findings indicate ongoing environmental exposure to mycobacteria in Korean suids and support the need for integrated One Health surveillance incorporating domestic pigs, wildlife, and complementary diagnostic approaches.