Abstract

A cross sectional study of caprine tuberculosis was conducted on randomly selected 630 goats at, Adami Tulu Agricultural Research Centre and, smallholder farmers found around the research centre from December 2005 to June 2006. Single intradermal tuberculin test, post mortem examination of suspected goats and bacteriological culture of the pathogen were carried out to confirm the pathogen. Taking the cut off value at 3.5 mm, there was significant difference (p<0.05) in prevalence of caprine tuberculosis between Adami Tulu Agricultural Research Centre and households around Adami Tulu town (3.1 and 9.6%, respectively). The individual animal prevalence was not affected by sex, age, and flock size (p>0.05). Goats under smallholder conditions are 3.1 times at risk of acquiring mycobacterial infection than those under on-station condition. Gross tuberculous lesions were detected in two of the eight tuberculin positive (suspected) goats that were slaughtered for confirmation of tuberculosis lesion, sampling and culture for further confirmation of mycobacterial growth. Mycobacterial growth and acid fast bacilli were confirmed in those goats with gross tuberculosis lesions. In conclusion, this study showed the occurrence of tuberculosis in goats in Adami Tulu area. Further studies and confirmation of mycobacterial species and strains which infect goats and probably humans are necessary, especially in areas that consume raw goats’ milk like pastoral and agro-pastoral areas so that at least awareness, concerning the transmission of the disease from goats' milk and meat can be created.

Key words: Caprine tuberculosis, goats, prevalence, tuberculin test, post mortem lesion.