ISOLATION OF MYCOBACTERIUM-BOVIS FROM BABOONS, LEOPARDS AND A SEA-LION

This study reports on two series of cases of Mycobacterium bovis infec tion in zoo animals. The first was in a captive population of baboons (Papio hamadryas) and the second in a mixed group of wild mammals, inc luding four leopards (Panthera uncia and Panthera pardus) and a sea-li on (Otaria byrona). The isolation and identification of strains of M. bovis confirmed the presence of M. bovis infections in both toes. The epidemiological study using genetic markers such as the IS6110-based D NA fingerprinting system made it possible to differentiate between M. bovis strains. The M. bovis strains isolated from baboons were shown t o contain a single IS6110 copy, as usually do cattle isolates, whereas the M. bovis strains isolated from the other exotic animals presented multiple copies. This finding suggests that the origin of the contami nation for the baboons in zoo A could be related to cattle. The origin of the contamination for the leopards and sea-lion in zoo B is more d ifficult to determine. In conclusion, the authors suggest some recomme ndations for avoiding outbreaks of tuberculosis infections in toes. (C ) Inra/Elsevier, Paris.