Mycobacterial infections in European wild boar (Sus scrofa) in the Czech Republic during the years 2002 to 2005

A total of 842 wild boar of differing ages, originating from 29 of the 77 districts in the Czech Republic, were examined during the hunting seasons from 2002 to 2005. A total of 2,704 samples from various tissues and faeces were examined. Mycobacteria were isolated from 75 animals from 11 of the districts. Neither a causative agent of bovine tuberculosis, nor any other members of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex were isolated from any of the animals. M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis of IS900 RFLP type A-C10 was isolated from intestinal lymph nodes of one of the tested animals. M. a. avium (IS901+ and IS1245+) was isolated from 7 animals, M. a. hominissuis (IS901- and IS1245+) was detected in lymph nodes without gross lesions in one animal. Atypical mycobacteria (M. fortuitum, M. chelonae, M. scrofulaceum, M. triviale, M. terrae, M. phlei, M. abscessus, M. flavescens, and M. smegmatis) were isolated from pulmonary lymph nodes, small and large intestines, and faeces of 45 animals.