A Survey for Mycobacterium spp. in Post slaughter Matrix of Donkeys

The presence of Mycobacterium in the post-slaughter matrix of animals is a public health concern. The issue is compounded during postmortem meat inspection at the abattoir when judgments on suspected cases of Tuberculosis (TB) are based solely on gross morphological lesions, without complementary laboratory tests. As a result, carcasses from animals with latent TB infection may be approved for human consumption. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of TB in the carcasses of donkeys slaughtered at an abattoir. A survey was conducted from January 1st, 2024 to March 31st, 2024 involving 4200 animals slaughtered within the period. Tissue samples (Lung, spleen, liver) were purposively obtained from carcasses with lesions consistent with suspected TB cases. Tissues were collected in sterile Universal bottles and transported to the laboratory in a Giostyle maintained at a temperature of 4-5 degrees Celsius. Acid-fast bacilli were identified using Ziehl-Neelsen stain. In all 26 organs obtained from individual animals that met the case definition for suspected TB, 8 (31%) tested positive for Acid-fast bacilli, the spleen accounts for 2 (25%), liver 2 (25%), and lungs 4 (50%). The prevalence of tuberculosis in the carcasses of slaughtered donkeys during this period was 0.2%. Given the absence of laboratory screening equipment and facilities to screen for suspected TB in carcasses, the risk of TB zoonosis remains high. To address this issue, we recommend the immediate establishment of dedicated tuberculosis screening facilities in all abattoirs within the state to enhance the detection and confirmation of suspected cases of tuberculosis in meat