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Introduction The study highlights the transboundary nature of tuberculosis (TB) in alpacas and the failure of current ante-mortem testing protocols (the tuberculin skin and Enferplex Camelid TB tests) to identify TB-free alpaca herds and individuals for export. Our research and the available literature indicate that the alpaca (Vicugna pacos) is extremely susceptible to Mycobacterium bovis infection, and that testing periodicity fails to take into account that animals do not manifest disease symptoms for a long time. The skin test failed to identify Mycobacterium bovis infection in two alpacas prior to their movement from the UK to Poland. The animals were purchased by a breeding centre in Poland, and were then shown at an international animal exhibition. The last owner of the alpacas before their deaths from TB bought the infected animals unwittingly in order to run rehabilitation activities with disabled children on his farm. Material and Methods Thoracic lymph node, lung and liver tissue samples obtained at necropsy were examined histopathologically after Ziehl–Neelsen staining. Tissue samples were homogenised and mycobacteria present there were cultured on Stonebrink’s medium during a 6-week incubation. A commercial test using polymorphism of the chromosomal direct repeat region provided species identification and additional identification was by spacer oligonucleotide typing and mycobacteria interspersed repetitive unit–variable number tandem repeat analysis with a gel electrophoresis protocol. Results The microbiological examination confirmed multiorgan TB caused by the SB0666 spoligotype of Mycobacterium bovis. Conclusion Due to the suboptimal performance of current diagnostic tests for TB in alpacas, there is a risk that infected animals may be moved unwittingly. A risk of TB spread associated with the international movement of alpacas is implied by this study.

The present study highlights the transboundary nature of tuberculosis (TB) in alpacas and the failure of current antemortem testing protocols to identify TB-free alpaca herds and individuals for exportation. The tuberculin skin test (TST) failed to identify Mycobacterium bovis-infected animals prior to movement from the United Kingdom (UK) to Poland. This study describes the use of four serological assays [Enferplex Camelid TB, dual-path platform (DPP) VetTB and BovidTB assays, and multi-antigen print immunoassays (MAPIAs)] to detect TB in an alpaca herd with negative TST results. The breeding in Poland purchased alpacas for several years from the UK with the last group arriving in May 2018. In July 2018, two sick alpacas from the centre were hospitalized in a veterinary clinic and both died of TB a few weeks later. In November 2018, 20 alpacas remaining in this M. bovis-affected herd were euthanized and samples were collected. The study population included 20 M. bovis-infected and 20 uninfected alpacas, but only 15 infected animals were tested by all serology tests. The DPP VetTB and DPP BovidTB assays detected antibodies in 14 of the 20 infected alpacas, with results confirmed by MAPIA, and in none (MAPIA and DPP BovidTB) or one (DPP VetTB) of the 20 uninfected animals. None of the infected alpacas tested positive using the Enferplex assay. In addition, the group included three orphans and two cria-dam pairs, which provided an opportunity to analyse immune aspects of cria-mother relationships in this herd. The results suggest high susceptibility of this host species to M. bovis infection and rapid progression to disease. The serological tests used in this study offer useful tools for the detection of M. bovis infection in TST and Enferplex test non-reactive alpacas. These tests should be further evaluated for implementation into TB management and control strategies for camelid species.

Introduction Since 2009, Poland has been recognised as a country officially free of bovine tuberculosis (bTB), although in each year of the last five there were from 8 to 18 outbreaks of the disease. In 2008–2016, the largest number of cattle infected with bovine mycobacteria were eliminated in the Masovian Province (the central region of Poland) and the largest number of outbreaks of this zoonosis were recorded in this area. The close proximity of farms where bTB was found led to the suspicion that tuberculosis could have been transmitted between the affected herds. The aim of the study was the molecular characterisation of the pertinent M. bovis/caprae strains and determination of the epidemiological relationship of various bTB outbreaks. Material and Methods The material for microbiological tests came from 119 cattle (Bos taurus) from nine herds located in five provinces, neighbouring the Masovian Province. Results Laboratory tests of tissue material gave results confirming tuberculosis in 54 (45%) animals. All strains belonged to the Mycobacterium bovis species. A two-step analysis of genetic affinity allowed 50 strains to be identified as phylogenetically closely related and separated between three genetic clusters consisting of 2 to 27 strains. Conclusion Based on the results of genotyping, bTB outbreaks were found in three herds, and three transmission chains were identified among these herds.

Introduction and objective Bovine tuberculosis (bTB, bovine TB) is caused by mycobacteria which are grouped within the MTBC. TB in animals is a highly infectious and progressive disease which can be transmitted to humans. Since 2009, Poland has gained official bTB-free status. Despite the official fact of bTB-free status, a dozen bTB outbreaks are still noted each year. Since 2000 in Poland, every year 1/5 of the national herd is subject to intradermal skin TB testing to control the bTB outbreaks in the cattle population. Application, with 5-year intervals between each government-funded skin test, undoubtedly resulted in financial savings. However it also seems to have caused several adverse and worrying events, e.g. an increase in the number of reactors detected and removed from a single tested herd. The objective of this study was the examination of 898 cattle imputed with bTB infection in Poland between 2008-2012. Material and methods The study concerned a potential epidemic outbreak with suspected bTB transmission. 20 cows came from 3 herds in the same county located in the same province in southern Poland. Results 134 MTBC strains were identified. In MIRU-VNTR, all isolates showed the same genetic pattern 322532243421232. Based on molecular investigation, the characteristics of M. bovis strains isolated from cattle from 3 different herds confirmed the common source of this zoonotic disease. Conclusions Although not bacteriologically proven, everything points to the fact that humans were the vector of bovine tuberculosis transmission between herds. This finding confirms transmission between 3 cattle herds in the Malopolskie Province in southern Poland (Podhale). The outbreak of tuberculosis in animals finally compromised public health.

The paper describes avian tuberculosis in a captive bred cassowary. A two-and-a-half-year-old bird was obtained by a Polish zoo in 2010 from the Netherlands under conditions compliant with the recommendations of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria. Despite being of small size for the age, the bird appeared healthy and showed no signs of the disease until the day when it was found recumbent in its pen. Later on it was euthanised due to lack of treatment possibilities. Pathological changes typical of avian tuberculosis were found in the liver and spleen. Mycobacterium avium ssp. avium was cultured from both organs.

Poland is officially free of animal tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium bovis and closely related members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, including Mycobacterium caprae. Sporadic cases of infection have been reported in cattle, but also in free-ranging species such as European bison (Bison bonasus), red deer (Cervus elaphus), Eurasian wild boar (Sus scrofa), Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), and Eurasian badger (Meles meles). This paper presents the history and recent findings regarding the incidence of tuberculosis in a free-living European bison herd and the possibility of interspecific transmission of the agent to other wildlife. The spoligotyping method indicated that the isolated strains belong to M. caprae showing spoligo pattern 2000037777377400. The results of these and earlier studies suggest that this M. caprae strain could be transferred from bison to wild boar.

The paper concerns molecular study on pathogenicity markers of fourteen Y. enterocolitica O:9 isolated from pigs in which initially positive serological reactions for brucellosis were observed (n = 41), healthy pigs, which were brucellosis-negative (n = 258), and wild boars serologically negative for brucellosis (n = 209). PCR identification proved that all isolates were ail, ystA- and myfA-positive. The plasmid encoding yadA marker was detected in nine isolates that originated from pigs serologically positive or negative for brucellosis, and from one isolate of wild boar origin. Furthermore, none of the examined isolates was ystB-positive. Results of the investigations indicate that the Y. enterocolitica O:9 isolates from pigs or wild boars, regardless of whether they were serologically positive or negative for brucellosis, may also be potentially pathogenic for humans, due to the presence of chromosomal and plasmid encoded molecular markers.

Since 2009, Poland has been recognized as a country officially free of bovine tuberculosis (BTB). However, new outbreaks are each year quoted. In many countries it has been shown that badgers ( Meles meles ) are a vector of Mycobacterium bovis/caprae ( M.bovis/caprae ) and a source of bovine tuberculosis for many domestical species, mainly for cattle. The aim of the presented study was to determine, for the first time in Poland, the occurrence of tuberculosis in badgers in areas where the disease occurs in cattle. Tissue samples were examined by classical microbiology methods, mycobacteria growth indicator tube (MGIT), and real time PCR. A total of 155 samples from 31 badgers were examined. In any case Mycobacterium bovis/caprae infection has not been diagnosed. This indicates that badgers probably are not a vector of bovine tuberculosis in Poland.

Systemic mycobacteriosis was diagnosed in a group of ornamental fish. Although a large number of acid-fast bacterial rods were identified in the kidneys, liver, and muscles of each fish, no granulomas were observed in internal organs. Mycobacterium peregrinum was identified using the GenoType Mycobacterium CM assay. This study illustrates a considerable risk of atypical mycobacteriosis in humans.

Bovine tuberculosis is an infectious disease that occurs in many species of both domestic and wild animals, as well as those held in captivity. The etiological factor is the acid resistant bacillus (Mycobacterium bovis or Mycobacterium caprae), which is characterized by the major pathogenicity among mycobacteria belonging to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. The material from 8 antelopes from the zoo, suspected for tuberculosis were examined, and M. bovis strains were isolated from 6 of them. The spoligotyping method showing spoligo pattern 676763777777600. In Poland, this spoligotype has not been observed so far.

A seven-year-old dead pet ferret (Mustela putorius furo) was brought to the National Veterinary Research Institute, Department of Microbiology, to have the disease diagnosed and cause of death determined. Significant loss of fur and various numerous skin lesions—such as nodules, bruises and small scabs— were found. A prominent subcutaneous cyst filled with semiliquid mass was observed on the right hindlimb, and the left eyelid was slightly swollen left eyelid with symptoms of conjunctivitis. On the basis of combined findings, the authors concluded that the ferret’s death was caused by a generalized Mycobacterium aviumsubspecies avium infection. Some immunodeficiency resulting from ferret’s age could be a predisposing factor. A feral cat, which was the only animal the ferret had contacted several weeks before the appearance of the first clinical symptoms, was a possible source of infection.

Poland is officially tuberculosis free and bovine tuberculosis (BTB) cases are rarely found except in bovids. We found BTB in a wild boar (Sus scrofa) in the Bieszczady Mountains, southeastern Poland. Studies suggest possible transmission of infection between free-living European bison (Bison bonasus caucasicus) and wild boar in this area.