Tuberculin Skin Test for Control of Bovine Tuberculosis: Limitation History, Current Challenges and Future Opportunities

In spite of the great advancement in the diagnosis, treatment and control programs of tuberculosis during the past decades, bovine tuberculosis still represent an imminent threat to the public and considerable obstacles for development of bovine industry especially in developing countries [1]. All animal species and humans of all age groups are susceptible to the disease. Mycobacterium bovis, a member of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex is the causative agent of the disease in cattle. Although Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the main causative agent of human tuberculosis, M. bovis can also infect human causing clinically undistinguishable disease from that of human origin, which makes it an important zoonotic disease of public health concern [2,3].