808
edits
Changes
no edit summary
[[Image:Tuberculosis M bovis.jpg|right|thumb|100px|<small><center>Tuberculosis caused by ''M. bovis'' (Image sourced from Bristol Biomed Image Archive with permission)</center></small>]]
[[Image:Tuberculosis M bovis.jpg|right|thumb|250px|<small><center>Tuberculosis caused by ''M. bovis'' (Image sourced from Bristol Biomed Image Archive with permission)</center></small>]]
==Description==
==Description==
Tuberculosis in cattle is caused by ''[[Mycobacterium bovis]]''. It is a chronic disease characterised by nodular lesions in any organ, although the respiratory system is most commonly affected. The nodules often become nectroic with a caseous centre.
'''Tuberculosis''' in cattle is caused by ''[[Mycobacterium bovis]]''. It is a chronic disease characterised by nodular lesions in any organ, although the respiratory system is most commonly affected. The nodules often become nectroic with a caseous centre. rupture of the nodules releases ...
The disease usually affects heifers or young stock but cases can occur in cattle of any age. TB is more common in dairy herds.
The disease usually affects heifers or young stock but cases can occur in cattle of any age. TB is more common in dairy herds.
Incidence of the disease has increased over the past 15 years; it is prevelent in Wales and the south west of England but is re-emerging in other parts of the UK such as the west Midlands and north-west England.
Incidence of the disease has increased over the past 15 years; it is prevelent in '''Wales''' and the south west of England but is re-emerging in other parts of the UK such as the west Midlands and north-west England.
Most warm blooded animals are susceptible to bovine TB and can act as a resevoir for infection. The disease in cattle has been associated with wildlife species in a number of countries; the European badger and red deer in the UK, opossums and ferrets in New zealand, mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, and bison in North America and water buffalo in Australia.
Most warm blooded animals are susceptible to bovine TB and can act as a resevoir for infection. The disease in cattle has been associated with wildlife species in a number of countries; the European badger and red deer in the UK, opossums and ferrets in New zealand, mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, and bison in North America and water buffalo in Australia.
===Laboratory Tests===
===Laboratory Tests===
An ELISA test has been developed but is not widely used. The gamma interferon test can also be used for diagnosis of the condtion.
===Pathology===
===Pathology===
==Treatment==
==Treatment==
Treatment is not usually an option due to the chronic nature of the disease, zoonotic potential and test and slaughter policy.
Treatment is not usually an option due to the chronic nature of the disease, zoonotic potential and test and slaughter policy.
==References==
==References==
*Andrews, A.H, Blowey, R.W, Boyd, H and Eddy, R.G. (2004) '''Bovine Medicine''' (Second edition), ''Blackwell Publishing''
::- if bacterium destroyed, further infection/disease is prevented
::- if bacterium destroyed, further infection/disease is prevented
=====Tuberculosis pleurisy=====
=====Tuberculosis pleurisy=====
caseous lymph node ruptures results from extensive tissue necrosis
if located in lung alveoli, the follicle may rupture into a bronchus, causing spread of the disease to all the other lobules served by that bronchus
the necrosis may erode the wall of a large pulmonary vessel resulting in fatal haemoptysis.