The VetMAX™ M. tuberculosis complex PCR kit detects MTBC DNA in antemortem and postmortem samples from white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum), African elephants (Loxodonta africana) and African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer)
Date
2020
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BMC (part of Springer Nature)
Abstract
Background: Bovine tuberculosis and tuberculosis are chronic infectious diseases caused by the Mycobacterium
tuberculosis complex members, Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, respectively. Infection with M.
bovis and M. tuberculosis have significant implications for wildlife species management, public health, veterinary
disease control, and conservation endeavours.
Results: Here we describe the first use of the VetMAX™ Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) DNA
quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) detection kit for African wildlife samples. DNA was
extracted from tissues harvested from 48 African buffaloes and MTBC DNA was detected (test-positive) in all 26 M.
bovis culture-confirmed animals with an additional 12 PCR-positive results in culture-negative buffaloes (originating
from an exposed population). Of six MTBC-infected African rhinoceros tested, MTBC DNA was detected in
antemortem and postmortem samples from five animals. The PCR was also able to detect MTBC DNA in samples
from two African elephants confirmed to have M. bovis and M. tuberculosis infections (one each). Culture-confirmed
uninfected rhinoceros and elephants’ samples tested negative in the PCR assay.
Conclusions: These results suggest this new detection kit is a sensitive screening test for the detection of MTBCinfected
African buffaloes, African elephants and white rhinoceros.
Description
CITATION: Goosen, W. J., et al. 2020. The VetMAX™ M. tuberculosis complex PCR kit detects MTBC DNA in antemortem and postmortem samples from white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum), African elephants (Loxodonta africana) and African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer). BMC Veterinary Research, 16:220, doi:10.1186/s12917-020-02438-9.
The original publication is available at https://bmcvetres.biomedcentral.com
Publication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund.
The original publication is available at https://bmcvetres.biomedcentral.com
Publication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund.
Keywords
Wildlife disease control, VetMAX™ M. tuberculosis complex PCR kit, Mycobacterium tuberculosis in wild animals, Polymerase chain reaction, Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex -- Testing
Citation
Goosen, W. J., et al. 2020. The VetMAX™ M. tuberculosis complex PCR kit detects MTBC DNA in antemortem and postmortem samples from white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum), African elephants (Loxodonta africana) and African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer). BMC Veterinary Research, 16:220, doi:10.1186/s12917-020-02438-9