Animal tuberculosis due to Mycobacterium bovis in Eurasian wild boar from Morocco

Eurasian wild boar (Sus scrofa) is widespread in the northern third of Morocco, Northern Africa. We aimed to investigate the presence of Mycobacterium bovis infection in wild boar and to generate information on the possible host status in this region. M. bovis was isolated in six of 43 wild boars. Culture-positive samples yielded spoligotype number SB1627. Sixty percent of lung tissue specimens or tracheobronchial lymph node samples yielded positive culture. Two thirds (64 %) of the wild boar submitted for histopathology revealed tuberculosis-compatible lesions. These lesions were particularly frequent in lymph nodes (63 %) and in lung tissue samples (43 %). Ziehl-Neelsen staining did not identify acid-fast bacilli, indicating paucibacillary infections. Our results confirm the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) infection in Moroccan wild boar. Regarding the host status of wild boar in this region, the often generalized lesion pattern suggests a possible role of wild boar as a component of the MTC maintenance host community. However, our information was limited to 43 wild boars from one specific region. Thus, further research is needed to assess the host status of wild boar in Morocco.
This is a contribution to the Spanish MINECO grant AGL2014-56305 and FEDER.