Identifying How a New Tuberculosis Strain Is Transmitted Among Species

Tuberculosis (TB) pathogens have already seriously affected wildlife populations in Southern Africa. Tuberculosis is caused by bacteria in the Mycobacterium family. Researchers recently discovered a new pathogen, Mycobacterium mungi, which is infecting and killing the banded mongoose, threatening the survival of smaller social groups. Mongoose do not appear to be the reservoir for this novel strain of TB, and it is unclear how it is transmitted to mongoose or whether other species might be threatened. Researchers aim to identify the reservoir for this pathogen and determine how it is transmitted, so that management recommendations can be developed and implemented to minimize spread and disease to other wildlife, and potentially humans, in the region.