A microbial safari: finding evidence of <i>Mycobacterium bovis</i> DNA in soil from the Kruger National Park, South Africa.

ABSTRACT: The primary pathogen causing animal tuberculosis (TB), Mycobacterium bovis, can infect a wide range of mammals, including humans. This pathogen is considered endemic in the Kruger National Park (KNP), South Africa, where it threatens the health and conservation of African wildlife, including endangered species. This mycobacterial pathogen is spread through close contact with an infected host by aerosols or ingestion but may also be transmitted indirectly through the environment. Detecting environmental M. bovis is challenging due to the complexity of the sample matrix and may require culture-independent techniques due to biosecurity restrictions associated with sample movement. In this study, DNA was extracted from soil near water sources in the KNP (n = 180) and scree

SUBMITTER: Matthews MC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12772276 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature