PREVALENCE OF BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS IN SLAUGHTERING ANIMALS AT SELECTED MUNICIPAL SLAUGHTER HOUSES: ITS IMPACT ON PUBLIC HEALTH

Bovine tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis is prevalent in animals in most of the developing countries, where surveillance and control activities are often inadequate or unavailable and pasteurization is rarely practiced. The objectives of the present study were to investigate the seroprevalence of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in slaughtered cattle and buffaloes and to assess the health of abattoir workers for presence of Mycobacterium bovis causing as zoonotic disease. This cross-sectional study was conducted at two abattoirs of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation. Questionnaires were developed to collect data on: social demographics, medical information, work related exposure factors and preventive measures as well. The butchers and meat handlers were selected by simple random sampling. Cattle slaughtered at the abattoirs were also screened for bovine tuberculosis using lateral flow technique and Ziehl Neelsen test. Eight hundred serum and 300 lung tissue samples obtained from both abattoirs were screened for presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Out of 800 serum samples 47 (5.8%) and 300 lung tissue samples, 38 (12.7%) were found positive by the rapid test lateral flow technique and Ziehl Neelsen stain, respectively. In this study 119 butchers and meat handlers were interviewed. The significant effect of knowledge and experience of both butchers and meat hadleers on potential zoonotic risk of disease was observed. Multivariate analysis of risk factor showed highly significant effect (P 6 years as calculated by odd ratio of 3.7 (1.9-7.7), followed by potential risk associated with job was significant (P 0.05). A significant difference (P 0.05) was observed between positive sputum samples of butchers, meat handlers and abattoir workers stained with AFB staining method and by microscopic examination. It was concluded from the results of present study that there is a potential risk for zoonotic transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from infected animal’s slaugheterd at abbatoir to butchers and meat handlers. Knowledge and experience of work and refraining from use of infected meat may effectively reduce risk factors of transmission.