A cross sectional study of Mycobacterium bovis in dairy cattle in and around Lahore City, Pakistan.

The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of Mycobacterium bovis (M bovis) in dairy cattle in and around Lahore. During 10 months (May 2007 to February 2008) period, milk samples analyzed through conventional (culture) and modern (PCR) methods. Out of 1000 samples, 454 (45.4%) were positive with PCR. Out of 454, 69 samples (15%) were positive for direct acid fast staining and 31 samples (7%) were positive with isolation and identification of M. bovis. The presence of M. bovis in raw milk samples is an enormous health risk factor for milk handlers and end consumers. There is dire need to improve the health of milking animals and livestock owners that will mitigate the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in bovines.