Toll-like receptor (TLR) diversity influences mycobacterial growth in African buffalo

Understanding the role of wildlife in the maintenance or spread of emerging infectious diseases is a growing priority across the world. Bovine tuberculosis (BTB) is a chronic, infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis). BTB is widespread within game reserves in southern Africa, and within these ecosystems the primary wildlife host of this disease is the African buffalo. We used a modified bacterial killing assay for mycobacteria to investigate the effect of Toll-like receptor (TLR) genetic diversity and demographic parameters on the ability of African buffalo to restrict mycobacterial growth.
Source: Tuberculosis - Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Source Type: research