vol.40 No.5
Original Article
Bovine Tuberculosis in Taiwan, 2008–2020
DOI: 10.6524/EB.202403_40(5).0002Tai-Hua Chan, Ruwen Jou*
2024 Vol.40 No.5
Correspondence Author: Ruwen Jou*
Abstract:
Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a zoonosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis biovar bovis (M. bovis). The impact of bTB on global tuberculosis (TB) control has been underestimated. The pathogen is intrinsically resistant to pyrazinamide (PZA), which poses challenges to TB treatment and management. In this study, of the 24,717 culture-confirmed human TB cases reported during 2008–2020, there were 251 (1%) cases of bTB. Among these, 77.7% were male; 71.8% were aged over 45 years; 85.7% were new cases; 83.3% had pulmonary TB; and cases came mainly from central (51.0%) and southern (25.5%) Taiwan. Only 19.5% of bTB patients had known animal contacts. Among them, 49.0% had direct or indirect contact with deer. Of the human PZA-resistant M. bovis isolates, 29.1% were concurrently resistant to isoniazid (INH), and 1.6% were multidrug-resistant (defined as being resistant to at least INH and rifampin). The predominant genotype, SB0265/ MIRU 5-2-2-3-4-2-3-2-11-5-3, was prevalent in both human and livestock populations. Diagnosing bTB and detect its drug resistance are crucial for TB control. Comprehensive surveillance and integrated human-animal investigations are needed to align with the One Health approach.
Keywords:Bovine tuberculosis, Mycobacterium bovis, One Health, drug resistance, genotype
Outbreak Investigation
A Tuberculosis Family Cluster in an Aboriginal Township, Eastern Taiwan, 2019
DOI: 10.6524/EB.202403_40(5).0001Feng-Jung Lee*, Li-Chun Huang, Pei-Ching Huang, Chin-Yu Wang, Yi-Fen Chen, Ta-Jen Chien
2024 Vol.40 No.5
Correspondence Author: Feng-Jung Lee*
Abstract:
During April 3 to 11, 2019, three confirmed tuberculosis (TB) cases were reported from a township in Hualien County. All three were retreatment cases and were highly infectious. Epidemiologic investigation determined these cases to be a family cluster.
Through contact investigation, four children aged < 5 years were diagnosed with TB. A total of seven cases were confirmed in this cluster; five were of identical genotype. Risk factors contributing to this TB family cluster included high infectivity, refusal of screening, having comorbidities, poor compliance with medication, low socioeconomic status, poor home ventilation, and young age. High infectivity, refusal of screening, having comorbidities, poor compliance with medication, low socioeconomic status, poor ventilation at home, and young age were risk factors that contributed to this TB family cluster.
Control strategies included expanding screening among high-risk groups, treating latent tuberculosis infections, and enhancing health education. Assistance was sought from non-governmental organizations and social welfare groups to address the economic problems of the cases and improve sanitation and ventilation of the family’s residence. As of April 2021, there have been no additional TB cases in this family.
Keywords:mountainous township, tuberculosis, cluster
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