Using Probiotics to Curb Cross-Species Transmission of Bovine Tuberculosis

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a chronic bacterial infection affecting livestock and has the potential to infect other species including humans. Badgers have been identified as the most important wildlife reservoir of bTB infection in the United Kingdom. Researchers will evaluate the feasibility of using probiotics as an environmentally friendly alternative to current disease control methods which include vaccination or culling of badgers. If successful, this novel probiotic approach could be a sustainable, non-invasive model for other wildlife associated with bTB cross-species transmission, such as brushtail possum, deer and wild boar.