Phylogenetic analysis ofMycobacterium bovisReveals Evidence Of Animal And Zoonotic Tuberculosis Transmission Between Morocco And European Countries

Abstract

AbstractLivestock production is a fundamental pillar of the Moroccan economy. Infectious diseases of cattle and other species represent a significant threat to the livestock industry, animal health, and food safety and security. Bovine tuberculosis (bTB), mainly caused byMycobacterium bovis(M. bovis), generates considerable direct and indirect economic losses, in addition to the unknown human health burden caused by zoonotic transmission. Previous studies have suggested likelyM. bovistransmission links between Morocco and Southern Europe, however, limitations inherent with the methods used prevented more definitive conclusions from being drawn. In this study, we employed whole genome sequencing analysis of a large set ofM. bovisisolates to better define the phylogenetic links between strains from Morocco and neighboring countries. A total of 780M. bovissequences representing 36 countries were included in the study. The results of SNP analysis showed a close genetic relationship betweenM. bovisfrom Morocco and each of Spain, France, Portugal and Germany, this is supported by animal trade between Morocco and these countries, in addition to the important human migration from Morocco to Europe and North America.Regarding zoonotic tuberculosis (TB) transmission, we were able to find genetic links betweenM. bovisisolates from cattle in Morocco and humans in Italy, Germany, and the UK. These results support our hypothesis of significant transmission ofM. bovisfrom cattle to humans, which calls for further investigations of zoonotic TB transmission in Morocco and in other countries.The fact that noM. bovissequences from North Africa in the present database were classified as AF1 or AF2 clonal complexes suggests that the Sahara might play a role in preventingM. bovistransmission between North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. Our study benefits from a large sample size and a rich dataset that includes sequences from cattle, wildlife, and humans from Morocco and neighboring countries, enabling the delineation ofM. bovistransmission routes within the animal-human interface.