This study is the first of its kind in Zambia to describe the molecular typing of M.bovis isolates from indigenous cattle breeds originating from high prevalence settings. Characterization of M. bovis strains based on different geographical locations by districts or region is pivotal in understanding the molecular epidemiology of BTB [21, 23, 27]. It further helps in understanding the dynamics of disease dispersion which are difficult to appreciate through traditional epidemiological investigative tools. However, through the use of modern molecular epidemiological

tools such as spoligotyping, we have been able to demonstrate the presence as well as the specific existing strains of Mycobacterium bovis in Zambian cattle. The technique has shade more light CH5424802 ic50 on the strain diversity, distribution and relatedness within Zambia and globally. Two dominant spoligotypes were identified representing the majority of isolates analyzed. These findings intimate a degree of homogeneity among M. bovis isolates in Zambia. However, when distinguishing between unrelated strains through the application of the Hunter-Gaston Discriminatory Index [28, 29], the spoligotyping technique in this particular case was found Acalabrutinib manufacturer to have a good discrimination power. The index indicated that 98% of the strains had an equal chance of having different spoligo patterns

if randomly sampled. Of the 31 M. bovis isolates that yielded interpretable spoligotypes, 10 different patterns were detected. Based on the global spoligotype patterns diversity provided by the international data base on spoligotyping, http://​www.​mbovis.​org, 83.9% of the isolates have been described. The predominant spoligotype that was widely dispersed geographically was found on the international data base to have a pattern with a spoligotype number SB0120. This spoligotype is similar to the spoligotype of the vaccine strain BCG type, and previously described in France, Belgium, South Africa, The Netherlands, Sri Lanka, Spain, Japan, Portugal, SPTBN5 Russia, Iran, Denmark, China and Brazil http://​www.​mbovis.​org[30]. The

second most predominant spoligotype had a pattern previously numbered SB0871 and has been described from France. These predominant patterns, SB0120 and SB0871, differ only by a single spacer (spacer 10). The most common spoligotype, SB0120, has a considerable degree of geographical dispersion in Zambia, being detected in 5 out of the 6 districts, and has further been shown to be common in other countries including continental Europe [31, 32]. This finding of strains from Europe may suggest the introduction of the disease by early European settlers to Africa, a finding that has been highlighted by different workers [17, 23, 27]. The finding of SB0120 in South Africa strongly infers to this probability, when tracing the early migration routes of colonial settlers to Zambia. In our current study, 16.1% (5/31) of the isolates had spoligotypes that were unique to Zambia.