Mycobacterium bovis Infection in African Wild Dogs, Kruger National Park, South Africa.

MYCOBACTERIA; WILD dogs; MYCOBACTERIUM bovis; MYCOBACTERIAL diseases; NATIONAL parks & reserves; NUCLEIC acid amplification techniques

SOUTH Africa; KRUGER National Park (South Africa)

We screened African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) in Kruger National Park, South Africa, for Mycobacterium bovis infection using an interferon-gamma release assay. We detected M. bovis sensitization in 20 of 21 packs; overall apparent infection prevalence was 83%. These animals experience high infection pressure, which may affect long-term survival and conservation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]