Skip to main content
PMC home page
The Canadian Veterinary Journal logoLink to The Canadian Veterinary Journal
. 1986 Mar;27(3):119-122, 123-124.

The Existing and Potential Importance of Brucellosis and Tuberculosis in Canadian Wildlife: A Review

Stacy V Tessaro
PMCID: PMC1680143  PMID: 17422637

Abstract

As the campaign to eradicate bovine brucellosis (Brucella abortus) and tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis) in Canadian livestock nears completion, the importance of extraneous sources of these diseases increases. This review summarizes the literature on brucellosis and tuberculosis in Canadian wildlife species to determine existing and potential hosts. Canadian caribou (Rangifer tarandus) are reservoirs of Brucella suis biotype 4 which is pathogenic in caribou, humans and muskoxen but reportedly nonpathogenic in livestock. Bison (Bison bison) and elk (Cervus canadensis) are significant reservoirs of B abortus and M. bovis. The bison in and around Wood Buffalo National Park have both diseases and are the only wildlife reservoir in Canada. Free-ranging elk are important reservoirs of brucellosis in Wyoming, and captive elk initiated the recent outbreak of bovine tuberculosis in 20 American states which has also involved bison and cattle herds. If bison and elk ranching continues to develop in Canada, the industry will have to be monitored to prevent the introduction and spread of infectious diseases like brucellosis and tuberculosis. This requires the evaluation and / or development of effective diagnostic methods for use in these animals.

Keywords: Wildlife, brucellosis, tuberculosis, Canada, disease control

Full text

PDF
120

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Belli L. B. Bovine Tuberculosis in a White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Can Vet J. 1962 Nov;3(11):356–358. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Bourque M., Higgins R. Serologic studies on brucellosis, leptospirosis and tularemia in moose (Alces alces) in Quebec. J Wildl Dis. 1984 Apr;20(2):95–99. doi: 10.7589/0090-3558-20.2.95. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Brody J. A., Huntley B., Overfield T. M., Maynard J. Studies of human brucellosis in Alaska. J Infect Dis. 1966 Jun;116(3):263–269. doi: 10.1093/infdis/116.3.263. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Broughton E., Choquette L. P., Cousineau J. G., Miller F. L. Brucellosis in reindeer, Rangifer tarandus L., and the migratory barren-ground caribou, Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus (L.), in Canada. Can J Zool. 1970 Sep;48(5):1023–1027. doi: 10.1139/z70-179. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. CORRIGAN C., HANSON S. Brucellosis and miliary tuberculosis in an Eskimo woman. Can Med Assoc J. 1955 Feb 1;72(3):217–218. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Choquette L. P., Broughton E., Cousineau J. G., Novakowski N. S. Parasites and diseases of bison in Canada IV. Serologic survey for brucellosis in bison in northern Canada. J Wildl Dis. 1978 Jul;14(3):329–332. doi: 10.7589/0090-3558-14.3.329. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Choquette L. P., Gallivan J. F., Byrne J. L., Pilipavicius J. Parasites and Diseases of Bison in Canada: 1 Tuberculosis and Some Other Pathological Conditions in Bison at Wood buffalo And Elk Island National Parks in the Fall and Winter of 1959-60. Can Vet J. 1961 May;2(5):168–174. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Corner A. H., Connell R. Brucellosis In Bison, Elk, and Moose In Elk Island National Park, Alberta, Canada. Can J Comp Med Vet Sci. 1958 Jan;22(1):9–21. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Davis D. S., Boeer W. J., Mims J. P., Heck F. C., Adams L. G. Brucella abortus in coyotes. I. A serologic and bacteriologic survey in eastern Texas. J Wildl Dis. 1979 Jul;15(3):367–372. doi: 10.7589/0090-3558-15.3.367. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Davydov N. N. La brucellose du renne dans le Grand Nord. Bull Off Int Epizoot. 1965 Jul-Aug;63(7):1005–1014. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Foreyt W. J., Smith T. C., Evermann J. F., Heimer W. E. Hematologic, serum chemistry and serologic values of Dall's sheep (Ovis dalli dalli) in Alaska. J Wildl Dis. 1983 Apr;19(2):136–139. doi: 10.7589/0090-3558-19.2.136. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. GUILBRIDE P. D., ROLLINSON D. H., MCANULTY E. G., ALLEY J. G., WELLS E. A. TUBERCULOSIS IN THE FREE LIVING AFRICAN (CAPE) BUFFALO (SYNCERUS CAFFER CAFFER. SPARRMAN). J Comp Pathol. 1963 Oct;73:337–348. doi: 10.1016/s0368-1742(63)80036-3. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Gates C. C., Wobeser G., Forbes L. B. Rangiferine brucellosis in a Muskox, Ovibos moschatus moschatus (Zimmermann). J Wildl Dis. 1984 Jul;20(3):233–234. doi: 10.7589/0090-3558-20.3.233. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. HUNTLEY B. E., PHILIP R. N., MAYNARD J. E. Survey of brucellosis in Alaska. J Infect Dis. 1963 Jan-Feb;112:100–106. doi: 10.1093/infdis/112.1.100. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Hein W. R., Tomasovic A. A. An abattoir survey of tuberculosis in feral buffaloes. Aust Vet J. 1981 Dec;57(12):543–547. doi: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.1981.tb00429.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Hudson M. Brucellosis and wildlife. Can Vet J. 1978 May;19(5):139–139. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Hudson M., Child K. N., Hatler D. F., Fujino K. K., Hodson K. A. Brucellosis in moose (Alces alces). A serological survey in an open range cattle area of North Central British Columbia recently infected with bovine brucellosis. Can Vet J. 1980 Feb;21(2):47–49. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Jones R. L., Tamayo R. I., Porath W., Giessman N., Selby L. S., Buening G. M. A serologic survey of brucellosis in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Missouri. J Wildl Dis. 1983 Oct;19(4):321–323. doi: 10.7589/0090-3558-19.4.321. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Kollias G. V., Jr, Thoen C. O., Fowler M. E. Evaluation of comparative cervical tuberculin skin testing in cervids naturally exposed to mycobacteria. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1982 Dec 1;181(11):1257–1262. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. MATAS M., CORRIGAN C. Brucellosis in an Eskimo boy. Can Med Assoc J. 1953 Nov;69(5):531–531. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Miller L. G., Neiland K. A. Experimental infections by Brucella suis type 4 in Alaskan rodents. J Wildl Dis. 1980 Oct;16(4):457–464. doi: 10.7589/0090-3558-16.4.457. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. Moore C. G., Schnurrenberger P. R. A review of naturally occurring Brucella abortus infections in wild mammals. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1981 Dec 1;179(11):1105–1112. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. Moore T. Brucella Infection of Buffalo and Elk. Can J Comp Med Vet Sci. 1947 May;11(5):131–131. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  24. Morton J. K., Thorne E. T., Thomas G. M. Brucellosis in elk III. Serologic evaluation. J Wildl Dis. 1981 Jan;17(1):23–31. doi: 10.7589/0090-3558-17.1.23. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  25. Murhead R. H., Burns K. J. Tuberculosis in wild badgers in Gloucestershire: epidemiology. Vet Rec. 1974 Dec 14;95(24):552–555. doi: 10.1136/vr.95.24.552. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  26. Neiland K. A., King J. A., Huntley B. E., Skoog R. O. The diseases and parasites of Alaskan wildlife populations. I. Some observations on brucellosis in caribou. Wildl Dis. 1968 Apr;4(2):27–36. doi: 10.7589/0090-3558-4.2.27. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  27. Neiland K. A., Miller L. G. Experimental Brucella suis type 4 infections in domestic and wild Alaskan carnivores. J Wildl Dis. 1981 Apr;17(2):183–189. doi: 10.7589/0090-3558-17.2.183. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  28. Nicoletti P. The epidemiology of bovine brucellosis. Adv Vet Sci Comp Med. 1980;24:69–98. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  29. Prichard W. D., Hagen K. W., Gorham J. R., Stiles F. C., Jr An epizootic of brucellosis in mink. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1971 Sep;159(5):635–637. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  30. SYMMERS W. S., THOMSON A. P., ILAND C. N. Observations on tuberculosis in the ferret, Mustela furo L. J Comp Pathol. 1953 Jan;63(1):20–30. doi: 10.1016/s0368-1742(53)80004-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  31. TOSHACH S. R. Brucella melitensis in the North West Territories. Can J Public Health. 1955 Apr;46(4):155–157. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  32. TOSHACH S. Brucellosis in the Canadian Arctic. Can J Public Health. 1963 Jun;54:271–275. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  33. Thorne E. T., Morton J. K. Brucellosis in elk. II. Clinical effects and means of transmission as determined through artificial infections. J Wildl Dis. 1978 Jul;14(3):280–291. doi: 10.7589/0090-3558-14.3.280. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  34. Thorne E. T., Morton J. K., Thomas G. M. Brucellosis in elk I. Serologic and bacteriologic survey in Wyoming. J Wildl Dis. 1978 Jan;14(1):74–81. doi: 10.7589/0090-3558-14.1.74. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  35. Waechter R. A Survey of Saskatchewan Deer Herds. Can J Comp Med Vet Sci. 1949 Mar;13(3):66–66. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  36. Zarnke R. L. Serologic survey for selected microbial pathogens in Alaskan wildlife. J Wildl Dis. 1983 Oct;19(4):324–329. doi: 10.7589/0090-3558-19.4.324. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  37. Zarnke R. L., Yuill T. M. Serologic survey for selected microbial agents in mammals from Alberta, 1976. J Wildl Dis. 1981 Jul;17(3):453–461. doi: 10.7589/0090-3558-17.3.453. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  38. de Lisle G. W., Welch P. J., Havill P. F., Julian A. F., Poole W. S., Corrin K. C., Gladden N. R. Experimental tuberculosis in red deer (Cervus elaphus). N Z Vet J. 1983 Dec;31(12):213–216. doi: 10.1080/00480169.1983.35037. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from The Canadian Veterinary Journal are provided here courtesy of Canadian Veterinary Medical Association

RESOURCES