An investigation of Mycobacterium bovis and helminth coinfection in the European badger Meles meles.

ABSTRACT: We investigated the relationship between the presence of helminth parasites in European badgers, and their tuberculosis (TB) status, culled as part of the bovine TB eradication programme in Ireland. Data on the worm burden or faecal egg or larval count was available for all helminth taxa recorded. Lymph node tissue samples were taken from the badgers and tested for TB. We then explored the correlation, in full-grown badgers, between the likelihood of M. bovis infection and both the prevalence and burden of certain helminth species. Specifically, our analyses focused upon the gastrointestinal species, Uncinaria criniformis and Strongyloides spp. We found that male badgers were more likely to have TB than female badgers, and that badgers infected with U. criniformis</

SUBMITTER: Kelly DJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9700262 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature