Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2023 Dec;29(12):2587-2589.
doi: 10.3201/eid2912.231159.

Tuberculosis in Lemurs and a Fossa at National Zoo, Madagascar, 2022

Marni LaFleur, Hoby A Rasoanaivo, Tojo H Andrianarivo, Fanantenana Randria Andrianomanana, Stuart McKernan, Mamy Serge Raherison, Rakotoson Andrianantenaina, Michele Miller, Jonah Ratsimbazafy, Simon Grandjean Lapierre, Paulo Ranaivomanana, Niaina Rakotosamimanana

Tuberculosis in Lemurs and a Fossa at National Zoo, Madagascar, 2022

Marni LaFleur et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2023 Dec.

Abstract

We diagnosed Mycobacterium tuberculosis in captive lemurs and a fossa in Antananarivo, Madagascar. We noted clinical signs in the animals and found characteristic lesions during necropsy. The source of infection remains unknown. Our results illustrate the potential for reverse zoonotic infections and intraspecies transmission of tuberculosis in captive wildlife.

Keywords: Madagascar; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; anthropozoonotic; bacteria; fossa; lemurs; primate; tuberculosis; tuberculosis and other mycobacteria.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure
Figure
Necropsy images of 2 lemurs (detailed in the Table), both Varecia variegata, from a study of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex–positive animals at the Botanical and Zoological Park of Tsimbazaza, Madagascar, in 2022. A) Body cavity with nodules and white spots in liver (animal 3). B) Tracheobronchial caseation of lymph nodes (animal 1). C) Tracheobronchial caseation of lymph nodes (animal 1). D) Black spots in stomach mucosa (animal 3). Scale bars indicate 1 cm.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Bertelsmann Stiftung BTI. 2022 Country Report—Madagascar. Gütersloh: Bertelsmann Stiftung, 2022. [cited 2023 May 7]. https://bti-project.org/fileadmin/api/content/en/downloads/reports/count...
    1. Reuter KE, LaFleur M, Clarke TA, Holiniaina Kjeldgaard F, Ramanantenasoa I, Ratolojanahary T, et al. A national survey of household pet lemur ownership in Madagascar. PLoS One. 2019;14:e0216593. 10.1371/journal.pone.0216593 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Ward SJ, Williams E, Groves G, Marsh S, Morgan D. Using zoo welfare assessments to identify common issues in developing country zoos. Animals (Basel). 2020;10:2101. 10.3390/ani10112101 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Berthine RA, Christine RA, Boromé RA. Bioclimatic of mycosis among wild and endemic animals captive-bred at Tsimbazaza Park in the Madagascar. Scientific Research Journal. 2018;VI:XI. 10.31364/SCIRJ/v6.i11.2018.P1118581 - DOI
    1. Chomel BB, Belotto A, Meslin FX. Wildlife, exotic pets, and emerging zoonoses. Emerg Infect Dis. 2007;13:6–11. 10.3201/eid1301.060480 - DOI - PMC - PubMed