Typing of Mycobacterium bovis isolates from cattle and other animals in the same locality

Authors: de Lisle GW, Collins DM, Gabric DM
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 36, Issue 1, pp 45-46, Mar 1988
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Livestock
Subject Terms: Bacterial, Mycobacterial, Disease/defect, Species description, Zoonosis, Infectious disease, Public health
Article class: Correspondence

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Abstract: Bovine tuberculosis is a continumg problem in cattle herds in New Zealand, particularly in those regions whcrc tubcrculous possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) are also found. Largely because of this geographic association, possums are believed to be the major factor that prevents effective tuberculosis control. To investigate this problem in more detail, we developed a method to type isolates of Mycobacterium bovis the causative organism of the disease. This typing system, which is based on DNA restriction endonuclease analysis, was applied to 83 possum isolates obtained from the three major regions of endemic tuberculosis in this country. The study showed that there were many (33) different types and that isolates of the same type usually occurred in the same localities and were always…

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