An African origin for Mycobacterium bovis

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: are two of the most important agents of tuberculosis in livestock and the most important causes of zoonotic tuberculosis in humans. However, little is known about the global population structure, phylogeography and evolutionary history of these pathogens. METHODOLOGY: originating from 35 countries and inferred their phylogenetic relationships, geographic origins and age. RESULTS: likely originated in East Africa. While some groups remained restricted to East and West Africa, others have subsequently dispersed to different parts of the world. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: in settings where whole-genome sequencing cannot easily be implemented. LAY SUMMARY: During the last few years, analyses of large globally representative collections of whole-genome sequences (WGS) from the human-adapted Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) lineages have enhanced our understanding of the global population structure, phylogeography and evolutionary history of these pathogens. In contrast, little corresponding data exists for M. bovis, the most important agent of tuberculosis in livestock. Using whole-genome sequences of globally distributed M. bovis isolates, we inferred the genetic relationships among different M. bovis genotypes distributed around the world. The most likely origin of M. bovis is East Africa according to our inferences. While some M. bovis groups remained restricted to East and West Africa, others have subsequently dispersed to different parts of the world driven by cattle movements.