Atypical mycobacteria cultures isolated in different natural and geographical zones of Ukraine
Abstract
Despite Ukraine's official status as free of tuberculosis in cattle, positive tuberculin reactions continue to be recorded in herds, complicating epizootic surveillance. One of the main reasons for these reactions is the spread of non-tuberculous (atypical) mycobacteria, which circulate widely in the environment and have zoonotic potential. This study aimed to invest i gate the species composition, cultural and morphological properties, and regional characteristics of atypical mycobacteria isolated from cattle in various natural and climatic zones of Ukraine. We studied 307 cultures of atypical mycobacteria is o lated from 17 regions of Ukraine. Identification was based on tinctorial, cultural-morphological, and biochemical properties, as well as comparison with reference strains of mycobacteria, using standard methods. We evaluated growth characteristics at different cultivation temperatures, pigment formation, biochemical activity, and classification according to Runyon’s classification. We determined that the isolated cultures belonged to 18 species of non-tuberculous mycobacteria, classified as groups II, III, and IV according to Runyon. The most common species were Mycobacterium scrofulaceum , M. gordonae , M. intracellulare , M. smegmatis , M. phlei , and M. fortuitum . Significant regional specificity was observed: numerous fast-growing species dominated the steppe zone; the forest-steppe zone had a more limited spectrum with a predominance of M. gordonae and M. scrofulaceum ; and Polissya had mainly representatives of group IV. Photochromogenic mycobacteria of group I were not detected. Atypical mycobacteria are widespread among cattle in Ukraine, particularly on tuberculosis-free farms. The diversity of species and regional heterogeneity cause animals to be sensitized to tuberculin and exhibit false-positive reactions. This must be considered in epizootic surveillance and the differential diagnosis of tuberculosis within the “ One Health ” concept.References
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