In:
Epidemiology and Infection, Cambridge University Press (CUP), Vol. 136, No. 10 ( 2008-10), p. 1350-1361
Abstract:
The Randomized Badger Culling Trial (RBCT) began in 1998 to determine the impact of badger culling in controlling bovine tuberculosis in cattle. A total of 1166 badgers (14% of total) proactively culled during the RBCT were found to be tuberculous, offering a unique opportunity to study the pathology caused by Mycobacterium bovis in a large sample of badgers. Of these, 39% of adults (~6% of all adults culled) had visible lesions (detectable at necropsy) of bovine tuberculosis; cubs had a lower prevalence of infection (9%) but a higher percentage of tuberculous cubs (55·5%) had visible lesions. Only ~1% of adult badgers had extensive, severe pathology. Tuberculous badgers with recorded bite wounds (~5%) had a higher prevalence of visible lesions and a different distribution of lesions, suggesting transmission via bite wounds. However, the predominance of lesions in the respiratory tract indicates that most transmission occurs by the respiratory route.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0950-2688
,
1469-4409
DOI:
10.1017/S0950268807009909
Language:
English
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Publication Date:
2008
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1470211-3
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