Abstract

A molecular epidemiological study of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis from captive wild animals of Siddharth Garden Aurangabad Municipal Corporation Zoo, Maharashtra, was carried out based on individual/pooled faecal samples (n = 42) from different captive wild animal species during winter, summer, and monsoon seasons. Based on microscopy, 29 were positive for acid–fast bacilli out of the total 126 faecal samples screened. Real time-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting IS900 gene detected 14 samples (5 carnivores, 7 herbivores, and 2 omnivores) positive. The overall prevalence of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) infection was 11.11% (11.11% carnivores, 29.16% herbivores, 66.66% omnivores, 0% birds, and 0% reptiles). Molecular typing (IS1311 PCR_REA) revealed all positive samples belonged to the “Indian Bison type,” biotype. This study first time revealed the presence of MAP infection in tigers from India and highlights the silent interspecies transmission of the “Indian Bison type” biotype from herbivores to omnivores and carnivores. The finding observed in this study could help in the control of MAP in captive wild animal species by implementing effective management that will be helpful to minimize the spread and reduce the burden of this chronic life-threatening disease in captive animal species.

Key words: Captive wild animals, Epidemiology, Mycobacterium avium subsp. Paratuberculosis, Genotyping, PCR REA