Investigation of Mycobacterium bovis population by RFLP scheme, in two main provinces of Iran – Tehran and Alborz

AbstractIntroductionBovine tuberculosis (BTB) caused by Mycobacterium bovis is considered as one of the most important diseases of cattle. Identifying and culling infected animals following positive tuberculin test detection is one of the fundamental control strategies of tuberculosis in cattle in the world. Passing five decades after implementation of such a control program from 1963, now, Iran experiences an admirable drastic decreased rate of 0.18% in comparison with a previous 5% at the beginning of the program.Materials and methodsA total of 31 lymph nodes of positive-tuberculin cattle referred to an Alborz Province abattoir and 70 farm samples obtained in the Tehran Province during the years 1390–1391 Hijri were sent to Razi Institute. Passing standard preparation procedures, the isolates were obtained after 8weeks at 37°C. Then their DNA was extracted using van Solingen’s method. Employing PCR-RFLP schemes, 13 M. bovis isolates were confirmed. Qualitative and quantitative RFLP evaluation, exploiting PGRS and DR probes for hybridization were performed.ResultsDigestion by PvuII enzyme followed by hybridization employing separate probes PGRS and DR resulted in three genetic detection types. Also, the combination of the two probes provided four different patterns.DiscussionThe data obtained from this study compared with the national surveillance carried out in 1385, showed similarly a consistent pattern of M. bovis BCG as the predominant isolates found in most of the provinces, particularly in Tehran