Open Access
Research (Published online: 23-03-2022)
15. First identification of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in wild ruminants in a zoo in Mexico
A. L. Hernández-Reyes, G. Chávez-Gris, E. Maldonado-Castro, L. E. Alcaraz-Sosa and M. T. Díaz-Negrete
Veterinary World, 15(3): 655-661

A. L. Hernández-Reyes: National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), School of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics (FMVZ), Center for Teaching, Research and Extension of Animal Production in High Plateau (CEIEPAA), Tequisquiapan-Ezequiel Montes Highway Km 8.5, 76790 Tequisquiapan, Queretaro, Mexico.
G. Chávez-Gris: National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), School of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics (FMVZ), Center for Teaching, Research and Extension of Animal Production in High Plateau (CEIEPAA), Tequisquiapan-Ezequiel Montes Highway Km 8.5, 76790 Tequisquiapan, Queretaro, Mexico.
E. Maldonado-Castro: National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), School of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics (FMVZ), Center for Teaching, Research and Extension of Animal Production in High Plateau (CEIEPAA), Tequisquiapan-Ezequiel Montes Highway Km 8.5, 76790 Tequisquiapan, Queretaro, Mexico.
L. E. Alcaraz-Sosa: Autonomous Metropolitan University, Xochimilco Campus, Division of Biological and Health Sciences, Department of Agricultural and Animal Production, Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics, Calzada del Hueso 1100, Col, Villa Quietud, Coyoacán, 09460, Mexico City, Mexico.
M. T. Díaz-Negrete: Zoological and Wildlife Conservation General Directorate (DGZCFS), Secretariat of Environment of Mexico City, Mexico City, Mexico.

doi: www.doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2022.655-661

Share this article on [Facebook] [LinkedIn]

Article history: Received: 01-10-2021, Accepted: 08-02-2022, Published online: 23-03-2022

Corresponding author: G. Chávez-Gris

E-mail: gris@unam.mx

Citation: Hernández-Reyes AL, Chávez-Gris G, Maldonado-Castro E, Alcaraz-Sosa LE, Díaz-Negrete MT (2022) First identification of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in wild ruminants in a zoo in Mexico, Veterinary World, 15(3): 655-661.
Abstract

Background and Aim: Paratuberculosis (PTB) is an infectious disease that induces chronic enteritis in ruminants. It is caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP). In this study, we evaluated the presence of MAP using bacteriological, molecular, and anatomopathological studies, based on the clinical suspicion of PTB in a zoo, in an area housing 10 scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah), five giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis), and three blue wildebeests (Connochaetes taurinus).

Materials and Methods: From November 2016 to June 2017, fecal samples were collected from individuals of the three species on four occasions, resulting in a total of 56 fecal samples. In addition, five small intestine samples were collected from the necropsies of three adult scimitar-horned oryx females and two oryx calves. MAP identification was performed through isolation in Herrold's medium with egg yolk, mycobactin, and sodium pyruvate, Ziehl–Neelsen staining, IS900 polymerase chain reaction (IS900 PCR), and anatomopathological examination of intestine samples.

Results: Diffuse granulomatous enteritis with abundant acid-fast bacilli was found in two out of five intestine samples from adult scimitar-horned oryx females. MAP was isolated in 7/56 (12.5%) of the fecal samples from four scimitar-horned oryx, one giraffe, and two wildebeest samples. Two out of 5 (40%) samples obtained from scimitar-horned oryx tested positive. IS900 PCR yielded five positive samples (two fecal samples and three small intestine samples). MAP isolates were classified as Type C (Cattle) using type-specific PCR.

Conclusion: These results demonstrated the presence of MAP in the area evaluated and indicated the importance of both sampling live animals and conducting postmortem examinations. The use of bacteriological and histopathological diagnostic techniques demonstrated in this study will provide insight into the health status and prevalence of paratuberculosis in wild ruminants under human care.

Keywords: histopathology, IS900, isolation, paratuberculosis, scimitar-horned oryx, zoo animals.