Sero-Prevalence and Molecular Detection of Mycobacterium bovis in Cattle at Sylhet Division of Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND

Mycobacterium bovis, the cause of bovine tuberculosis (bTB), is a contagious, notifiable, chronic bacterial disease that causes economic losses. bTB remains a significant zoonotic threat, particularly in resource-limited settings where reliable prevalence data are still lacking.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to determine the serological prevalence and molecular detection of bTB from different commercial and individual dairy farms of Sylhet and Sunamganj districts in Bangladesh.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted on a total of 250 blood and 250 milk samples, which were collected across selected dairy farms. Serological testing was performed using indirect ELISA, and molecular detection of M. bovis was carried out through PCR. Associations between infection status and potential risk factors were evaluated using chi-square tests and logistic regression models.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of M. bovis was 10.6%. Molecular detection through PCR revealed a higher prevalence in milk (14.8%) compared to blood (6.4%) samples. Serological testing showed that the prevalence in Sylhet district was lower (5.3%) than in Sunamganj district (12.0%). The highest prevalence was observed in diarrhoeic animals (19.49%), followed by female cattle (13.58%) and Holstein Friesian cows (14.0%). Cattle aged 1-3 years showed a notable prevalence of 17.51%.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of M. bovis in dairy cattle herds was confirmed by both molecular and serological methods, highlighting the endemic nature of bTB in the study area. These findings underscore the importance of routine surveillance, combining diagnostic approaches and implementing effective control measures to reduce the burden of bTB in dairy production systems.