The existing and potential importance of brucellosis and tuberculosis in canadian wildlife: a review

Abstract

As the campaign to eradicate bovine brucellosis (Brucella abortus) and tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis) in Canadian livestock nears completion, the importance of extraneous sources of these diseases increases. This review summarizes the literature on brucellosis and tuberculosis in Canadian wildlife species to determine existing and potential hosts. Canadian caribou (Rangifer tarandus) are reservoirs of Brucella suis biotype 4 which is pathogenic in caribou, humans and muskoxen but reportedly nonpathogenic in livestock. Bison (Bison bison) and elk (Cervus canadensis) are significant reservoirs of B abortus and M. bovis. The bison in and around Wood Buffalo National Park have both diseases and are the only wildlife reservoir in Canada. Free-ranging elk are important reservoirs of brucellosis in Wyoming, and captive elk initiated the recent outbreak of bovine tuberculosis in 20 American states which has also involved bison and cattle herds. If bison and elk ranching continues to develop in Canada, the industry will have to be monitored to prevent the introduction and spread of infectious diseases like brucellosis and tuberculosis. This requires the evaluation and / or development of effective diagnostic methods for use in these animals.