INVESTIGATION OF ZOONOTIC TUBERCULOSIS: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Bovine tuberculosis (BTB) is a zoonotic disease caused by Mycobacterium bovis, resulting in reduced meat and milk production and high rates of carcass condemnation for slaughter, causing economic losses due to trade embargoes on animals and animal products. Transmission to humans occurs through direct contact with contaminated animals, ingestion of raw meat, and, most commonly, ingestion of raw milk or dairy products. This work presents a narrative review of efforts to combat BTB, the results of control and eradication campaigns, and modern diagnostic methods. Objectives: To review the literature to highlight the advantages and challenges of diagnostic methods for BTB. Methods: Narrative review in the PubVET, SciELO, and Google Scholar databases, including articles in Portuguese and English published between 2019 and 2023. Narrative review is a type of research that analyzes and synthesizes information from various sources to provide an overview of a specific topic, without following a rigid protocol for searching and selecting studies (Florianópolis, 2008). The selection was based on titles and abstracts, excluding studies unrelated to Mycobacterium bovis. The keywords used were: Mycobacterium bovis, zoonotic tuberculosis, human tuberculosis, diagnoses, bovine tuberculosis in humans, human tuberculosis, zoonotic tuberculosis. Final considerations: Tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis is a neglected disease in human and animal health, despite its presence in dairy herds. Studies show a lack of clear methodologies for differential diagnosis and epidemiological investigation procedures in at-risk groups, such as rural workers, veterinarians, and consumers of raw milk. Proper testing and case reporting are crucial for effective sanitary measures, protecting consumers, farm workers, and meat processing plants, and improving the export of Brazilian dairy products. Sustainable food production and environmental management require an integrated One Health approach, highlighting the importance of health and environmental surveillance strategies and the protection of workers exposed to diseased cattle.