Occurrence and elimination of Mycobacterium tuberculosis substances in spotted deer (Axis axis) at Jungle Mahal Zoological Park, Jhargram, India

Tuberculosis is a chronic, contagious disease of man and animals caused by certain pathogenic organisms of the genus Mycobacterium, characterized by the development of tubercles with resultant caseation and calcification.It is a zoonotic disease [1,2].This is one of the ancient diseases and is worldwide in distribution.The disease is highly prevalent in tropical and sub-tropical countries.The organisms are slender, slightly bent, or straight acid-fast rods.The organism is stained by Ziehl-Neelson's method and examined microscopically under an oil immersion technique [1,3].Organisms are excreted in exhaled air, sputum, feces, milk, urine, vaginal and uterine discharges, and discharges from open peripheral lymph nodes from infected animals or human beings.The most common portals of entry of infection are inhalation and ingestion.The risk increases when large numbers of animals are in close confinement [1,2].