<i>Mycobacterium avium</i> Subspecies <i>paratuberculosis</i> in Asymptomatic Zoo Herbivores in Poland
Małgorzata Bruczyńska,
Anna Didkowska,
Sylwia Brzezińska,
Magdalena Nowak,
Katarzyna Filip-Hutsch,
Mirosław Kalicki,
Ewa Augustynowicz-Kopeć,
Krzysztof Anusz
Affiliations
Małgorzata Bruczyńska
Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Anna Didkowska
Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Sylwia Brzezińska
Department of Microbiology, National Tuberculosis and Lung Disease Research Institute, 01-138 Warsaw, Poland
Magdalena Nowak
Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Katarzyna Filip-Hutsch
Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Mirosław Kalicki
Zoological Garden of Gdańsk, Karwieńska 3, 80-328 Gdańsk, Poland
Ewa Augustynowicz-Kopeć
Department of Microbiology, National Tuberculosis and Lung Disease Research Institute, 01-138 Warsaw, Poland
Krzysztof Anusz
Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Mycobacterial infections are significant issues in zoo animals, influencing animal welfare, conservation efforts, and the zoonotic potential of pathogens. Although tuberculosis is recognised to be highly dangerous, paratuberculosis can also lead to animal losses and is potentially dangerous for humans. The aim of the current study was to confirm whether Mycobacterium avium spp. paratuberculosis (MAP) infections are currently present in zoos in Poland. Faeces samples (n = 131) were collected from different animal species from eight zoos in Poland. The faeces were decontaminated and inoculated into Herrold’s Egg Yolk Media. The species was determined using commercial DNA testing. The IS900 was checked using RT-PCR. The culture was positive in seven samples: five with M. avium, one with Mycobacterium fortiatum, and one without any identified Mycobacterium species. RT-PCR confirmed MAP genetic material in nine animals. Our findings represent the first confirmation of MAP in bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus), indicating that it is present in Polish zoological gardens. Fortunately, the disease can be monitored more easily due to recent legislation (the Animal Health Law).
