Isolamento de micobactérias em caprinos e ovinos abatidos no Semiárido da Paraíba, Brasil.

Abstract

The aim of this work was to isolate and characterize microorganisms in hypertrophied lymph nodes or gross lesions suggestive of tuberculosis collected from 12 goats and 28 sheep slaughtered at the public slaughterhouse of Patos municipality, Paraíba state, in the Northeast region of Brazil. The identification of mycobacteria was performed with the PRA method (PCR-Restriction Enzyme Analysis). Histopathological examination of lesions was also performed. Organs affected were liver, lung, mammary gland, bladder and mediastinal, mesenteric, submandibular, parotid, popliteal, precrural, prescapular and superficial inguinal lymph nodes. Histopathologic examination showed the presence of granulomas in eight (20%) animals. Of the 12 goats used, one (8.33%) was positive in the cultive of mycobacteria, and by PRA method the isolate was classified as belonging to the M. tuberculosis complex. Two sheep (7.14%) were positive for the presence of environmental mycobacteria. There was isolation of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis in eight (66.66%) goats and 17 (60.71%) sheep, and simultaneous isolation of mycobacteria and C. pseudotuberculosis in one (8.33%) goat and in one (3.57%) sheep. The isolation of mycobacteria of the M. tuberculosis complex in goats in this study raises concerns of public health, as professionals involved in handling these animals and the meat and milk consumers are exposed to the risk of infection.