Prevalence of Tuberculosis Infection in a Cohort of Cattle That Enters the Food Chain in Accra, Ghana Using Bovigam

Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be an important public health problem worldwide. Currently there are 286 TB cases per every 100,000 people in Ghana. This figure is three times higher than the TB burden estimated by the World Health Organization. The numerical contribution of bovine TB to the general TB burden is unknown. Herdsmen, livestock workers, and veterinarians and the general public are at high risk of contracting bovine TB. Zoonotic TB caused by Mycobacterium bovis is present in animals in most developing countries including Ghana. Unfortunately, activities to check and control cattle with infection from entering the food chain are often inadequate or unavailable. This study therefore aims to determine the prevalence of TB infection in a cohort of cattle that enter the food chain in Accra, Ghana. A cross sectional study involving five major abattoirs was conducted in the Greater Accra region between the period of September 2012-June 2013. After routine inspection of live cattle by veterinary officials, 10 mL of blood was drawn from 94 cattle before slaughter and tested for TB infection using BOVIGAM. Six (6.4%) of the 94 cattle screened, were positive for TB infection. All except one abattoir had at least one cattle testing positive. Although the study recorded a lower prevalence of 6.4%, all animals tested were deemed fit for slaughter by veterinary officials and was to enter the food chain. The low sensitivity of routine abattoir inspection for infected organs and negative results of post-mortem examination reinforces the need for more sensitive screening tool such as BOVIGAM.