Zoonotic tuberculosis in Catalonia, Spain: Phylogenetic insights into Mycobacterium bovis and M. caprae transmission at the human-livestock interface

Abstract

Genomic epidemiology; Mycobacterium bovis; Zoonotic tuberculosis

Epidemiologia genòmica; Mycobacterium bovis; Tuberculosi zoonòtica

Epidemiología genómica; Mycobacterium bovis; Tuberculosis zoonótica

This genomic epidemiology study analyzed Mycobacterium bovis and M. caprae isolates from animals and humans in Catalonia, Spain, between 2005 and 2023. Of 42 human tuberculosis (TB) cases, five were phylogenetically linked to livestock outbreaks, suggesting zoonotic transmission. The findings specifically indicate goats as a primary source of M. caprae transmission to humans. The study also revealed unexpected genetic diversity of mycobacteria within the same outbreak or even within the same patient, highlighting the complexity of tuberculosis transmission dynamics. The results underscore the value of genomic surveillance in understanding zoonotic TB transmission at the human-livestock interface and its role in informing effective control strategies.

The study was funded by a grant of the European Commission (INNOTUB II – EFA115/01, Interreg POCTEFA 2021–2027 program, co-funded by the ERDF), the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food (DARPA) of the Government of Catalonia, and the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA). IRTA is supported by Centres de Recerca de Catalunya (CERCA) Programme / Generalitat de Catalunya (www.cerca.cat).