Tuberculosis and other mycobacterial infections of cats and dogs: development of new diagnostics for the direct identification of the pathogens involved in these clinically important and potentially zoonotic diseases

Tuberculosis (TB) is a global health concern. Cats (and dogs) are increasingly at risk, with most cases transmitted by rodent bites, or secondary to wound contamination. In the UK, ~1% of all feline biopsy samples have histopathology consistent with mycobacteriosis (1). We recently reported on two large outbreaks, one affecting >150 cats fed M. bovis-infected commercial raw wild venison, where four owners developed latent TB (2), while the other outbreak affected ~180 hounds that were fed M. bovis-infected cattle carcases (3).

Mycobacterial diagnosis is challenging; only ~50% of samples can be cultured, while immunological and serological testing is not specific for most species. PCR with sequencing is available, but requires significant modification to improve sensitivity and enable quantification of pathogen burden.
We hypothesise that the prevalence of these infections is higher than currently believed. Identifying the true prevalence of M. bovis in companion animals in the UK is essential to understand this zoonotic infection, as is the possible role that infected pets may play in relation to M. bovis infection of much of our national cattle herd, badger, deer and other wild animals. Finding other mycobacteria will allow a much greater understanding of these enigmatic infections and the role that companion animals may play in their complex ecology.

Working with our industrial partners, using our unique set of samples (>1000) from companion animals with natural mycobacterial infections, the student will answer this hypothesis, and find the true prevalence of these infections. They will:

i) develop a bespoke bacteriophage extraction system to improve detection of all mycobacteria
ii) develop the highly innovative Vetsina™/Destina™ technology to significantly enhance overall sensitivity and specificity
iii) convert the multiplex PCR developed by our previous BBSRC CASE PhD students into a quantitative real time multiplex PCR with improved sensitivity and specificity for each group of mycobacteria.