Bovine Tuberculosis

What is bovine tuberculosis?

Bovine tuberculosis (TB) is a long-lasting bacterial disease of cows and buffaloes, caused mainly by Mycobacterium bovis. It mostly affects the lungs and the lymph nodes, but it can spread to other organs, including the udder. The disease develops slowly, and an infected animal may look healthy for a long time while still spreading bacteria.

TB spreads mainly when animals breathe in droplets from infected animals, especially in crowded, closed sheds. Calves can be infected through milk.

Bovine TB can pass to people, mainly through raw milk and close contact with infected animals, so wear gloves when handling sick animals or samples, wash your hands well, and see a doctor if you have a long cough, fever or weight loss.

Signs to watch for

Common signs include:

• Slow weight loss and weakness
• A soft cough that lasts a long time
• Fever that comes and goes
• Falling milk yield
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Hard breathing in later stages

Which lab tests help

The main screening test in live animals is the tuberculin skin test. A veterinarian does it on the farm: a small amount of a test liquid called tuberculin is injected into the skin, and the swelling is read after a set time. It is not a lab test.

Lab tests add evidence. The Bovine Tuberculosis Antibody (ELISA) looks for antibodies, the proteins the body makes against the germ, in serum, the clear part of blood. Antibodies often appear late in infection, so a negative ELISA does not rule TB out. The Bovine Tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis) RT-PCR looks for the genetic material of TB bacteria in a nasal swab, milk or tissue. Animals shed bacteria on and off, so one negative PCR does not rule TB out either.

The Acid Fast Stain (AFB Stain) can show acid-fast bacteria, germs that keep a special red stain, under the microscope in a sample chosen by your vet. A positive stain suggests mycobacteria but does not show which kind. When an animal has died, Histopathology / Biopsy on lymph nodes or lung tissue taken by a vet may show the changes TB typically causes.

A registered veterinarian interprets every result together with the skin test, the herd's signs and history. Your vet will advise on next steps for positive animals, which may involve the animal husbandry department.

When to see your vet

Call your vet if an animal has a long-lasting cough or keeps losing weight, or if TB has been found in a nearby herd. Ask your vet about testing the whole herd.

Testing in Bhopal

Pashupatinath Vet Lab in Shahpura, Bhopal provides free sample collection anywhere in Bhopal. Samples for TB tests are handled under safety rules. From other districts, samples can be sent through your local vet, by courier or by bus parcel; the lab coordinates by phone or WhatsApp on +91 88175 01118. The lab confirms the method, sample needs and reporting time when you book.