Vigilância molecular como ferramenta para detectar Mycobacterium bovis em leite cru e queijos artesanais de agroindústrias no semiárido do Brasil

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.4832401084

• Palavras-chave: leite cru; queijo de coalho; Mycobacterium bovis; alimento seguro; Saúde Única.

• Keywords: raw milk; coalho cheese; Mycobacterium bovis; safe food; One Health.

• Abstract: The World Health Organization (WHO) considers tuberculosis a reemerging disease and a major threat due to the increase in the number of notifications in humans, particularly in those with HIV/AIDS. Raw milk may harbor several pathogens, including Mycobacterium bovis, which causes tuberculosis in cattle and humans. In the state of Rio Grande do Norte (RN), the production chain of milk and derivatives constitutes a major economic and social activity, contributing to the generation of employment and income. The objective of this study was to perform molecular surveillance, using the nested-PCR system, to analyze the presence of M. bovis in 36 samples, 18 of which were raw milk and 18 were of artisanal coalho cheese, from farming industries in the state. The molecular surveillance did not detect Mycobacterium bovis DNA in the collected samples. This work is of relevance for this state, as it has never conducted an epidemiological survey to determine the prevalence of tuberculosis in cattle. It is important to alert the population about the risks associated with the consumption of unpasteurized milk and dairy products.