Prevalence of Zoonotic Tuberculosis in Cameroon’s Wildlife

This study was carried out between March to December 2022 in the south and east regions of Cameroon. Veterinary inspections were carried out on wild animal carcases, in “bush markets”. Two hundred and ninety two (292) carcasses of, antelope 109 (37.33%), doe 26 (8.9%), porcupine 72(24.66%), civet 5(1.79%), wild boar 3(1.3%) and monkey 16 (5.48%), tiger cat 4 (1.37%), civet cat 5(1.71%), Hare 15(5.14%), pangolin 32(10.96%), Rat 9(3.08%), varan 1(0.34%), were sampled for this study. Lungs, livers, spleens and lymph nodes were harvested from these animals and subjected to standard laboratory test for isolation and identification of Mycobacteria. The result shows that Culture on Lowenstein Jensen solid medium yielded a prevalence of 115 (39.38%) colonies of mycobacteria from all samples collected; observation of BAARs by ZN staining revealed 34 (11.64%) positive samples for mycobacteria from all samples. Biochemical test positivity gave 56 (19.18%) positive samples. Mycobacteria identifiable on the basis of morphological characteristics were M. intracellulare, M. xenopi and M. gordonae. The real-time PCR revealed (0%) mycobacteria of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. This study showed that mycobacteria of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex were not detected in wild animal but atypical mycobacteria were found. Wildlife during our study period cannot be considered as a possible reservoir of mycobacteria of CMT, given the non-proximity with cattle breeding sites and the rarity or absence of contact between wildlife and cattle. Keywords: Tuberculosis; Prevalence; Mycobacteria; Mycobacterium Tuberculosis complex; Wildlife; South and East; Cameroon