Tuberculosis is an infectious, chronic or acute, localized or disseminated granulomatous disease that affects all animal species, caused by members of the genus mycobacteria. In cattle, the disease is caused by obligatory pathogenic and opportunistic species of mycobacteria and is transmitted between animals mainly through inhalation. It is a major public health concern and humans are infected chiefly through consumption of raw animal products. The disease is characterized by progressive emaciation, which may be terminally fatal. Pathological lesions comprising of be caseous or calcified granulomas are found mainly in the respiratory tract but animals infected through ingestion develop lesions in the lymph nodes of the head and the mesentery. Lesions may disseminate to involve other internal organs and tissues. Histologically, lesions manifest typical granulomas with a necrotic center surrounded by inflammatory cells and a fibrous capsule. Diagnosis is based on history, clinical signs, antemortem tests, and postmortem examination. Culture, isolation, and identification of the organism are confirmatory tests. The disease is a listed under the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code and the main method of control is testing and slaughter of affected animals. The importance of the disease is the zoonosis, loss in productivity in affected animals, and the cost of control.
Part of the book: Bacterial Cattle Diseases
Salmonellosis in animals is caused by typhoidal and non-typhoidal Salmonella organisms. Non-typhoidal salmonellosis is a zoonosis of major public health concern occasioning over 155, 000 mortalities yearly worldwide. The majority of the human infections are mainly acquired directly through consumption of contaminated foods of animal origin, particularly poultry, eggs and dairy products or consumption of contaminated fruits. Rodents and will birds are the main reservoirs of non-typhoidal salmonellosis. Salmonellosis has a great economic and health impact occasioned by the cost of surveillance, investigation, treatment, and prevention in both animals and humans. Non-typhoidal salmonellosis is further complicated by the wide host range and the emergence of multidrug resistant Salmonella strains due to intensification of livestock production and uncontrolled antimicrobial drug use. There is a need for more innovative prevention and control measures to safeguard losses in animals and human health. This chapter will discuss salmonellosis in food and companion animals, the public health importance, and the challenges facing its control.
Part of the book: Salmonella