Absence of Tuberculosis in Free-Ranging Deer in Nebraska

Authors

David J. Steffen, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
David W. Oates, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
Mauritz C. Sterner, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Vickie L. Cooper, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Date of this Version

1999

Comments

Published in Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 35(1), 1999, pp. 105–107 Copyright © Wildlife Disease Association 1999

Abstract

Lymph nodes from 271 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in Nebraska (USA) were examined microscopically for tuberculoid lesions. Lymph nodes lesions in at least one node were found in 12 deer. Lesions were examined with Zeihl-Neelson acid fast stains and by polymerase chain reactions using M. bovis specific probes. No evidence of tuberculosis was found. The small granulomatous lesions were likely caused by other bacteria.