zoonotic risks and transmission of mycobacteria species from cows' milk and slaughtered cattle to man in ibadan:role of butchers

Abstract

To ascertain the zoonotic risks association with the handling,processing and consumption of milk and meat products in respect to bovine tuberculosis in ibadan. This study was conducted by simultaneous screening of 105 unpasteurised cows milk. samples and 587 slaughtered cattle some of which showed gross lesions suggestive of tuberculosis. samples from the milk and suspected tuberculosis lesions were cultured in lowenstein-jensen media while nitrate and niacin tests were carried out to classify the isolated mycobacteria species. prevalence rates of 5.7% and 4.3% were confirmed from the milk and cattle samples: screened respectively. based on the biochemical tests, three isolates of mycrobacterium tuberculosis, one of M. Bovis and one of M. africanum were identified from the milk samples: while six M. tuberculosis, fourteen M. bovis,two M. africanum and three unclassified mycrobacteria species were obtained from the tuberculous cattle. the unhygenic handling and processing of these animal products by butchers may lead to the zoonotic transmission of M. tuberculosis complex to the public and a source of occupational exposures to the butchers.