ANÁLISE GENÔMICA DE UM SURTO DE TUBERCULOSE BOVINA EM UM SISTEMA MULTI-HOSPEDEIRO ARTIFICIAL: UM CHAMADO À AÇÃO SOBRE A VIDA SELVAGEM NO BRASIL

Abstract

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is considered one of the main diseases affecting Brazilian livestock. Cattle and buffalo are included in the national bovine tuberculosis control program. However, cases of bTB in Brazilian wildlife in captivity remain neglected and underestimated. In this study, we report a 15-year bTB outbreak in endangered wild species in a safari park, which practiced the interstate deer trade. We compiled reports from the official veterinary service on an event timeline, accessed 21 isolates of M. bovis from deer and two isolates from llamas to perform complete genome sequencing to infer population structure, dating estimates and transmission events. With that, we verified that from 2003 to 2018, at least 16 animals, of eight species, died due to bTB. In 2015 on three different occasions, the deer population was evaluated by intradermal tuberculin tests, being positive for the test. Given the lack of legislation for the species, the official veterinary service was only able to order the closure of the park and the depopulation of deer based on the interstate animal trade. Genomic analysis indicates that multiple strains of M. bovis were circulating in the park, with at least three different introductions since the park's inauguration in 1977, showing successive neglect. When compared to other M. bovis genomes from nearby cattle herds, no recent transmission events were found. Even so, its phylogenetic relationship suggests that M. bovis strains were introduced into the park from the region, possibly through the maintenance of cattle on the property. Finally, we discussed the socioeconomic and environmental factors that led to the outbreak, while threatening public health.