Table 3.

Average MTC DNA concentration in excretion samples from wild ungulates with ONL, BAL and fecal samples tested.

Host species	Excretion route	Average MTC DNA concentration (CFU/g or mL)
		No.	Super-shedders	No.	Standard shedders
Wild boar	Oronasal	11	1.5 × 103	20	182.2
	Bronchial-alveolar	11	15.2	20	22.8
	Fecal	11	5.9 × 105	20	0
Red deer	Oronasal	5	2.6 × 103	7	83.7
	Bronchial-alveolar	5	3.8 × 103*	7	12.9
	Fecal	5	9.8 × 104	7	0

Average MTC DNA concentration by host species and excretion route, including ungulates with >10³ CFU/g or mL in at least one sample (super shedders) or only those with <10³ CFU/g or mL in all samples (standard shedders). Statistically significant differences between species are highlighted (Mann–Whitney U). MTC DNA concentrations were estimated based on the calibration line between log-transformed inoculated BCG concentrations (CFU/g or mL) and MPN concentration estimates (MPN/g or mL).

* p = 0.05.