Review: genital tuberculosis in cattle and water buffaloes

Abstract

Objective: To present a review on genital tuberculosis in caule and water buffaloes. Data Sources: the collections of the libraries of the Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia da Universidade de São Paulo - FMVZlUSP (School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science of the University of São Paulo) and of the Instituto Biológico de São Paulo (São Paulo Biological lnstitute), as well as MEDLlNE database were searched, covering a retrospective period of 30 years. Data Synthesis: Tuberculosis is a public health concern and an economically important disease, responsible for big losses in caule husbandry. The zoonotic aspect of tuberculosis has decreased since the introduction of obligatory milk pasteurization, except in countries where the consumption of raw milk and of cheese produced without any heat treatment stili persists. It is estimated that 5% of tuberculous cows develop genital infection, manifested mostly as uterine lesions (metritis) and 1 to 2% can develop tuberculous mastitis. Genital tuberculosis is less frequent in males, but can affect most of the reproductive system. The incidence of tuberculosis is higher in water buffaloes than in catle and all organs are affected, including the reproductive tract, where endometriallesions occur. Conclusions: The estimated prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in Brazil is 0.9 to 2.9%, but it is not considered a reproductive disease, although the affection of the reproductive system of caule and buffaloes is not so rare, causing reproductive disorders such as infertility and estrus repetition, and representing a less common roure of transmission of the disease.