TitleToll-like receptor (TLR) diversity influences mycobacterial growth in African buffalo.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2017
Authorsle Roex, N, Jolles, AE, Beechler, BR, van Helden, P, Hoal, E
JournalTuberculosis (Edinb)
Volume104
Pagination87-94
Date Published2017 05
ISSN1873-281X
KeywordsAnimals, Bacterial Load, Buffaloes, Cattle, Female, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, Genetic Variation, Host-Pathogen Interactions, Male, Microbial Viability, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Phenotype, Toll-Like Receptor 6, Toll-Like Receptors, Tuberculosis, Bovine
Abstract

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. Eosinophil count, time delay, bovine PPD response and avian PPD response were negatively correlated with mycobacterial growth. TLR6 diversity and the interaction of age group and sex were positively correlated with mycobacterial growth. Our results suggest that both demographic and individual immune parameters influence the ability to control mycobacterial infection in African buffalo. TLR6 diversity is particularly interesting as this locus has also shown associations with BTB in cattle, suggesting that further research into the effects, selection and role of TLR6 variants in bovine tuberculosis will be productive.

DOI10.1016/j.tube.2017.03.009
Alternate JournalTuberculosis (Edinb)
PubMed ID28454655
Grant ListBB/L011085/1 / / Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council / United Kingdom