Francesco Sgarangella
Azienda Tutela della Salute (ATS), Department of Prevention, ASSL of Sassari (Sardinia)
Title: Case study of bovine tuberculosis (TB) outbreak under the surveillance plan in the territory of the province of Sassari (Sardinia)
Biography
Biography: Francesco Sgarangella
Abstract
Statement of the problem:
The 2017 bovine tubercolosis Control Program (CP) for the Province of Sassari aims to research and remove residual sources of TB infection to ensure the achievement of the Officially tuberculosis-free qualification (Leg.Dec.no.196/1999). Active surveillance is based on pre-movement tuberculin test (IDT) to monitor all bovine transport, passive surveillance rely on post-mortem inspection at the slaughterhouses and, in addition, ASSL of Sassari performs a thorough check of all animals involved in road accidents. The purpose of this work is to describe a case of tuberculosis in a calf urgently slaughtered after a road accident in an area named Goceano.
Methodology & Theoretical Orientation:
In the event of road accidents, where emergency slaughter is needed, ASSL intervenes with official veterinary surgeons of animal health and food hygiene services. At the abattoir, in case of suspect of tuberculosis, after the histological exam, the lymph nodes are subjected to colony examination.
Findings:
An 8-month calf, urgently slaughtered after a car accident, at the anatomopathological exam showed periportal lymphadenopathy with chronic granulomatous lymphadenitis, the consequent lab test confirmed a positivity for M.Bovis. Out of 29 animals tested in the herd of origin, only the calf's mother showed positivity to IDT, while at the anatomopathologic exam resulted negative. Finally, the histological and cultural examination on tonsillary lymph-nodes was evaluated also negative.
Conclusion:
The evidence shows that tuberculosis is a problematic disease that requires surveillance activity beyond the actions ordinarily provided by control plans. In fact, given that no routine herd control was due on short-term, considered that the calf was not destined to slaughter in a short time, and that the mother sent to abattoir did not show suspicious lesions, failure to detect the presence of infection in cattle constitutes an important risk factor for spreading the disease.