FACTORS AFFECTING PREVALENCE OF BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS IN NILI RAVI BUFFALOES

IMTIAZ A. KHAN, A. KHAN¹, A. MUBARAK AND S. ALI

Veterinary Research Institute, Zarar Shaheed Road, Lahore Cantt-13; ¹Department of Pathology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan

Abstract   

    A study was conducted to find out the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis (BTB) in Nili Ravi buffaloes at a livestock experimental station in the Punjab, Pakistan. On the basis of the comparative intradermal tuberculin test (CIDT), prevalence of BTB was found to be 10.06%. Epidemiological factors including old age, high milk production and parity played a significant role in the prevalence of the disease. Significantly (P<0.028) higher percentage of positive reactors was found in buffaloes aged 8 years and above (68.75%).  A significantly (P<0.043) higher number of CIDT positive animals had parities 3-6 (68.75%) and those with milk production >7 litres per day (75.00%). A total of nine out of 16 (56.25%) animals were found positive by mycobacteriological studies. Mycobacterium bovis was isolated from four (44.44%) milk samples, M. tuberculosis from one faecal and two milk samples (33.33%), while atypical mycobacteria were isolated from two (22.22%) milk samples. It can be concluded from the present study that bovine tuberculosis is present in indigenous buffaloes; old age and high milk yield greatly influence the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis. M. bovis was the principal cause of tuberculosis in buffaloes. Furthermore, atypical mycobacteria also contribute to bovine tuberculosis to a considerable proportion.

Key words: Buffaloes, bovine tuberculosis, prevalence, milk, mycobacteriology