Abstract
Detailed postmortem examinations were conducted to evaluate the efficiency of meat inspection procedures and to determine the distribution of lesions in Mycobacterium bovis-infected cattle. The study involved routine inspection at slaughter, collection of tissues for detailed examination in the laboratory, and bacteriological examination to identify M. bovis. Additionally, a 10-year (1992–2001) meat inspection record was analysed to determine tuberculosis trends in the past decade. χ2-Test and simple regression were used to analyse the data. Out of 1350 cattle examined, 1.5% were found with tuberculous lesions. Routine abattoir inspection detected only 55% of cattle with confirmed lesions. Fifty-four per cent of tuberculous lesions were found in the lungs and thoracic lymph nodes, 23% in the lymph nodes of the head, and the remaining 23% in the mesenteric and other lymph nodes of the carcase. M. bovis was additionally isolated from an animal that had no gross lesions of tuberculosis. On average, the annual rate of whole-carcase condemnation due to generalized tuberculosis was 0.024% and it has increased annually by 0.34% over the past decade. The rate of whole-carcase condemnation indicates a high degree of TB transmission and requires immediate attention from both the economic and public health points of view. The lower sensitivity of routine abattoir inspection confirms the importance of improving necropsy procedures.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
REFERENCES
Ameni, G., Miorner, H., Roger, F. and Tibbo, M., 1999. Comparison between comparative tuberculin and 1'-interferon tests for the diagnosis of bovine TB in Ethiopia. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 32, 267-276
Amstutz, H.E., 1998. Dental development. In: S.E. Aiello (ed), The Merck Veterinary Manual, 8th edn, (Merck, Rahway, NJ), 131-132
Asseged, B., Liibke-Becker, A., Lemma, E., Taddele, K. and Britton, S., 2000. Bovine TB: a cross-sectional and epidemiological study in and around Addis Ababa. Bulletin of Animal Health and Production in Africa, 48, 71-80
Corner, L.A., 1994. Postmortem diagnosis of M. bovis infection in cattle. Veterinary Microbiology, 40, 53-63
Corner, L.A., Melville, L., McCubbin, K., Small, K.J., McCormick, B.S., Wood, P.R. and Rothel, J.S., 1990. Efficiency of inspection procedures for the detection of tuberculous lesions in cattle. Australian Veterinary Journal, 67, 389-392
Cosivi, O., Grange, J.M., Daborn, C.J., Ravighone, M.C., Fujikura, T., Cousins, D., Robinson, R.A., Huchzermeyer, H.F., de Kantor, I. and Meslin, F-X, 1998. Zoonotic TB due to M. bovis in developing countries. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 4, 1-14
de Kantor, I.N., Nader, A., Bernordelli, A., Giron, D.O. and Man, E., 1987. Tuberculosis infection in cattle not detected by slaughterhouse inspection. Journal of Veterinary Medicine, 34, 202-205
Edwards, D.S., Johnston, A.M. and Mead, G.C., 1997. Meat inspection: an overview of present practices and future trends. The Veterinary Journal, 154, 135-147
Gracy, J.F., 1986. Meat Hygiene, 8th edn, (Bailliere-Tindall, London), 350-360
Grange, J.M. and Yates, M.D., 1994. Zoonotic aspects of M. bovis infection. Veterinary Microbiology, 40, 137-151
Kazwala, R.R., Daborn, C.J., Sharp, J.M., Kambarage, D.M., Jiwa, S.F.H. and Mbembati, N.A., 2001. Isolation of M. bovis from human cases of cervical adenitis in Tanzania: a cause of concern? International Journal of Tubercle and Lung Diseases, 5, 87-91
Mambule, M., 1984. Bovine TB in Uganda. Bulletin of Animal Health and Production in Africa, 32, 159-166
Miliano-Suazo, F., Salmar, M.D., Ramirez, C., Payeur, J.B., Rhyan, J.C. and Santillan, M., 2000. Identification of TB in cattle slaughtered in Mexico. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 61, 86-89
Neill, S.D., Hanna, J., Mackie, D.P. and Bryson, T.G.D., 1992. Isolation of M. bovis from the respiratory tract of skin test-negative cattle. Veterinary Record, 13, 45-47
Nicolson, M.J. and Butterworth, M.H., 1986. A Guide to Condition Scoring of Zebu Cattle, (ILCA, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)
Nsengwa, G.R. and Otaru, M.M., 1987. Prevalence of TB in the dairy farms in southern Tanzania. Bulletin of Animal Health and Production in Africa, 35, 251-252
Radostits, O.M., Gay, C.C., Blood, D.C. and Hinchcliff, K.W, 2000. In: R. Deborah (ed.), A Text Book of the Diseases of Cattle, Sheep, Pigs, Goats and Horses, 9th edn, (Harcourt, London), 909-919
Solomon, H., 1975. A Brief Analysis of the Activities of the Meat Inspection and Quarantine Division, (Ministry of Agriculture, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)
Teshome, Y., 1995. Regional and country status reports. In: C.O. Thoen and J.H. Steel (eds), M. bovis Infection in Animals and Humans, (Iowa State University Press, Ames, IA), 273-277
Theon, C.O., Huchzermeyer, H. and Himies, E.M., 1995. Laboratory diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis. In: C.O. Thoen and J.H. Steel (eds), M. bovis Infection in Animals and Humans, (Iowa State University Press, Ames, IA), 63-72
Thrusfield, M., 1995. Veterinary Epidemiology, 2nd edn, (Blackwell Science, Oxford), 274-282
Vestal, A.L., 1978. Procedures for the Isolation and Identification of Mycobacteria, (US Department of Health, CDC, Bureau of Laboratories, Training and Consultation Division, Atlanta, GA)
Whipple, D.L., Bolin, C.A. and Miller, J.M., 1996. Distribution of lesions in cattle infected with M. bovis. Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation, 8, 351-354
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Asseged, B., Woldesenbet, Z., Yimer, E. et al. Evaluation of Abattoir Inspection for the Diagnosis of Mycobacterium bovis Infection in Cattle at Addis Ababa Abattoir. Tropical Animal Health and Production 36, 537–546 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:TROP.0000040934.32330.44
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:TROP.0000040934.32330.44