Tuberculosis determined by Mycobacterium bovis in captive waterbucks (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) in São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

Two waterbucks from São Paulo Zoo Foundation exhibited respiratory symptoms in July 2004. Aftereuthanasia, granulommas in lungs and mediastinic lymph nodes were observed. Acid-fast bacilli isolatedwere identified as Mycobacterium bovis spoligotype SB0121 by PRA and spoligotyping. They were bornand kept in the same enclosure with the same group, without any contact to other species housed in the zoo.This is the first detailed description of M. bovis infection in Kobus ellipsiprymnus.