FACTORS AFFECTING PREVALENCE OF BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS IN NILI RAVI BUFFALOES

A study was conducted to find out the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis (BTB) in Nili Ravi buffaloes at a livestock experimental station in the Punjab, Pakistan. On the basis of the comparative intradermal tuberculin test (CIDT), prevalence of BTB was found to be 10.06%. Epidemiological factors including old age, high milk production and parity played a significant role in the prevalence of the disease. Significantly (P 0.028) higher percentage of positive reactors was found in buffaloes aged 8 years and above (68.75%). A significantly (P 0.043) higher number of CIDT positive animals had parities 3-6 (68.75%) and those with milk production 7 litres per day (75.00%). A total of nine out of 16 (56.25%) animals were found positive by mycobacteriological studies. Mycobacterium bovis was isolated from four (44.44%) milk samples, M. tuberculosis from one faecal and two milk samples (33.33%), while atypical mycobacteria were isolated from two (22.22%) milk samples. It can be concluded from the present study that BTB is present in indigenous buffaloes; old age and high milk yield greatly influence its prevalence. M. bovis was the principal cause of tuberculosis in buffaloes. Furthermore, atypical mycobacteria also contribute to BTB to a considerable proportion.