Prevalence of Generalized Swine Tuberculosis with Special Reference to Pathological Study in Middle Gangetic Plain Zone of Uttar Pradesh

Background: Swine tuberculosis (TB) is a highly progressive granulomatous infectious disease. The cases usually go undiagnosed and become a potent source of infection to other animals and humans. In Ayodhya and Sultanpur districts, no such study has been conducted so far. Keeping in view the zoonotic importance of this disease, the present study was, therefore, designed to study the prevalence of generalized swine tuberculosis in Middle Gangetic Plain Zone of Eastern Uttar Pradesh. Methods: Forty-two (42) pigs were presented for postmortem at Department of Veterinary Pathology, C.V. Sc. and A. H., ANDUAT, Ayodhya from nearby villages of Ayodhya and Sultanpur districts from April 2017 to February 2020. Pigs were screened for typical lesions of tubercles throughout the body during postmortem examination. Result: The prevalence was 7.14% out of 42 pigs presented for postmortem examination. Eight pigs (19.04%) had nodules in either lungs or liver but these were diagnosed negative for TB on ZN (Ziehl-Neelsen) staining. Typical tubercles were evident in liver, spleen and lungs and were characterized by the presence of circumscribed yellowish white raised lesions of various sizes and numbers. Microscopically, granulomatous lesions revealed necrotic areas surrounded by mixed inflammatory cells including macrophages, lymphocytes and plasma cells. The ZN stain reveals presence of acid fast bacilli in impression smear made from lung, spleen and liver.