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. 2024 Feb 14:11:1346514.
doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1346514. eCollection 2024.

Detection of non-tuberculous mycobacteria in native wildlife species at conservation risk of Argentina

Soledad Barandiaran  1   2 , Loreana Ponce  1   2 , Indiana Piras  2 , Ana Carolina Rosas  3 , Jorge Peña Martinez  3 , María Jimena Marfil  1   2
Affiliations

Detection of non-tuberculous mycobacteria in native wildlife species at conservation risk of Argentina

Soledad Barandiaran et al. Front Vet Sci. .

Abstract

Introduction: Non-tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) are mainly environmental but can cause opportunistic infections and diseases in humans and animals. Livestock and wild animals can be infected with NTM. In Argentina, there are native wild species facing conservation risks, and they are the focus of protection and reintroduction projects designed to preserve biodiversity in various ecoregions. The aim of this study was to report the presence of NTM in samples collected from four endangered native wild species from nine Argentine provinces, as part of their pre-release health assessment.

Methods: A total of 165 samples from giant anteater, peccary, tapir and pampas deer were obtained, these included either bronchoalveolar or endotracheal lavages, or oropharyngeal, nasopharyngeal or tracheal swabs. Bacteriological culture followed by molecular identification and sequencing were performed.

Results: A total of 27 NTM were detected, including Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis, M. intracellulare, M. terrae, M. gordonense, M. kumamotonense, M. fortuitum, M. saskatchewanense, and M. genavense. Results revealed a 16,36% NTM recovery rate, with the giant anteater showing the highest prevalence among the mammals under study.

Discussion: In Argentina, due to extensive production systems, the interaction between domestic and wild species sharing the same environment is frequent, increasing the exposure of all the species to these NTM. In this way, the transmission of infectious agents from one to another is feasible. Moreover, NTMs might interfere with the diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis and paratuberculosis. These findings emphasize the importance of active health surveillance in conservation programs. It highlights the need to address NTM epidemiology in wildlife and its impact on conservation and public health.

Keywords: bacteriological diagnosis; conservation; molecular identification; native wildlife; non-tuberculous mycobacteria.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Partial Argentinean map showing the provinces where the native wildlife species are present. The different species are represented with the animal silhouette in each province. References: Provinces: 1. Buenos Aires; 2. Córdoba; 3. Mendoza; 4. La Rioja; 5. Santiago del Estero; 6. Corrientes; 7. Chaco; 8. Tucumán; 9. Salta.
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