Full Text Available
Note: Clicking the button above will open the full text document at the original institutional repository in a new window.
Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) DNA in historically mycobacterium bovis-free African buffalo (syncerus caffer) herds in South Africa
Mhlophe, S. K. 2025. Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex (MTBC) DNA in Historically Mycobacterium bovis Free African Buffalo (Syncerus caffer) Herds in South Africa. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: hhttps://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/8e...
Saved in:
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
2025
|
| Subjects: | |
| Tags: |
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1867613954725904384 |
|---|---|
| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Mhlophe, Sinegugu Kholeka |
| author2 | Miller, Michele A. |
| author_browse | Mhlophe, Sinegugu Kholeka Miller, Michele A. |
| author_facet | Miller, Michele A. Mhlophe, Sinegugu Kholeka |
| author_sort | Mhlophe, Sinegugu Kholeka |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | Stellenbosch University |
| description | Mhlophe, S. K. 2025. Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex (MTBC) DNA in Historically Mycobacterium bovis Free African Buffalo (Syncerus caffer) Herds in South Africa. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: hhttps://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/8e4ba016-575d-473e-a9f1-88dea9aa2699 |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/132602 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:44:21.236Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| publisherStr | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| spelling | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/132602 Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) DNA in historically mycobacterium bovis-free African buffalo (syncerus caffer) herds in South Africa Mhlophe, Sinegugu Kholeka Miller, Michele A. Goosen, Wynand J. Ghielmetti, Giovanni Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Biomedical Sciences. Molecular Biology and Human Genetics. African buffalo -- South Africa Mycobacterium bovis -- South Africa Buffaloes -- Diseases -- South Africa Tuberculosis in animals -- South Africa UCTD Mhlophe, S. K. 2025. Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex (MTBC) DNA in Historically Mycobacterium bovis Free African Buffalo (Syncerus caffer) Herds in South Africa. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: hhttps://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/8e4ba016-575d-473e-a9f1-88dea9aa2699 Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2025. ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis investigated the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) DNA, specifically Mycobacterium bovis, in African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) herds in South Africa (SA) that were historically free of this pathogen. Chapter 1 establishes tuberculosis (TB) as a persistent global health threat, emphasizing MTBC’s complex adaptation strategies, genomic diversity, and host-specific preferences. M. bovis is a multi-host pathogen, which impacts human, wildlife and livestock health; infection intensifies ecological pressures, particularly in SA’s unique biodiversity hotspots. African buffalo serve as maintenance hosts for M. bovis, particularly in game reserves and parks where the disease is endemic in SA. These buffalo can perpetuate M. bovis transmission within ecosystems where they roam, increasing cross-species infection risks to other wildlife and livestock. This chapter also highlights the critical ecological role of African buffalo as a keystone species, underscoring the challenges of controlling M. bovis in complex multi-host systems, such as the Kruger National Park (KNP). Chapter 2 describes a novel, culture-independent, mycobacterial direct detection approach, using Oxford Nanopore Technologies’ (ONT) targeted next generation sequencing (tNGS), on oronasal swabs from African buffalo. This method addresses considerable limitations of conventional mycobacterial culture, which is often slow and vulnerable to contamination. This direct detection method enabled the identification of MTBC, MTBC cooccurring with nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), and NTM DNA in buffalo that presented with evidence of immune sensitization, by employing PCR amplification of multiple Mycobacterium targets, followed by ONT tNGS. These results support the use of ONT tNGS as a complementary tool for investigating TB in valuable wildlife, such as the buffalo investigated in the study. The study concludes that rapid detection could facilitate early diagnosis, which is critical to prevent the spread of disease. This chapter has also been accepted for publication, with the candidate as first author. In Chapter 3, the broader implications of this research are discussed. The findings advocate for using ONT tNGS in monitoring M. bovis within low-risk, high-value African buffalo populations, sustaining ecotourism, and protecting biodiversity. By applying advanced detection technology, this research supports improved disease management strategies, particularly within complex multi-host ecosystems, like those found in SA. These insights underscore the need for innovative diagnostics that aid in curtailing TB spread, which protects animal health, the wildlife industry, and associated livelihoods. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis ondersoek die opsporing van Mycobacterium tuberculosis-kompleks (MTBC) DNA, spesifiek Mycobacterium bovis, in Suid-Afrikaanse (SA) kuddes van Afrika-buffels (Syncerus caffer) wat histories vry van hierdie patogeen was. Hoofstuk 1 beklemtoon tuberkulose (TB) as 'n aanhoudende wêreldwye gesondheidsbedreiging, met die fokus op die komplekse aanpassingsmeganismes, genomiese diversiteit en gasheerspesifieke voorkeure van MTBC. M. bovis is 'n multi-gasheer patogeen wat 'n impak het op menslike, wild- en veegesondheid; infeksie verhoog ekologiese druk, veral in SA se unieke biodiversiteithotspots. Afrika-buffels dien as onderhoudsgashere vir M. bovis, spesifiek in wildreservate en parke waar die siekte endemies is in SA. Hierdie buffels kan M. bovis-oordrag in ekosisteme waarin hulle beweeg, handhaaf en sodoende die risiko van kruisspesie-infeksie na ander wilden vee-spesies verhoog. Hierdie hoofstuk beklemtoon ook die kritieke ekologiese rol van Afrika-buffels as 'n sleutelspesie en die uitdagings verbonde aan die beheer van M. bovis in komplekse multi-gasheerstelsels soos die Krugerwildtuin (KNP). Hoofstuk 2 beskryf 'n nuwe, kultuuronafhanklike, mikobakteriese direkte opsporingsbenadering deur gebruik te maak van Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) se geteikende volgende-generasie-sekwensering (tNGS) op oronasale deppermonsters van Afrika-buffels. Hierdie metode spreek die beduidende beperkings van konvensionele mikobakteriële kultuur aan, wat dikwels stadig en vatbaar is vir kontaminasie. Hierdie direkte opsporingsmetode het die identifisering van MTBC, MTBC saam met nie-tuberkulose mikobakterieë (NTM), en NTM DNA in buffels met tekens van immuunsensitisering moontlik gemaak, deur gebruik te maak van PCR-amplifikasie van verskeie Mycobacterium-teikens, gevolg deur ONT tNGS. Hierdie resultate ondersteun die gebruik van ONT tNGS as 'n aanvullende instrument vir die ondersoek van TB in waardevolle wildspesies soos die buffels wat in hierdie studie ondersoek is. Die studie bevind dat vinnige opsporing vroeë diagnose moontlik maak, wat krities is om die verspreiding van die siekte te voorkom. Hierdie hoofstuk is ook aanvaar vir publikasie, met die kandidaat as eerste skrywer. In Hoofstuk 3 word die breër implikasies van hierdie navorsing bespreek. Die bevindinge pleit vir die gebruik van ONT tNGS in die monitering van M. bovis binne lae-risiko, hoëwaarde Afrika-buffelpopulasies, om ekotoerisme te ondersteun en biodiversiteit te beskerm. Deur gevorderde opsporingstegnologie toe te pas, ondersteun hierdie navorsing verbeterde siektebestuurstrategieë, spesifiek binne komplekse multi-gasheer-ekosisteme soos dié in SA. Hierdie insigte beklemtoon die behoefte aan innoverende diagnostiek wat die verspreiding van TB kan beperk en sodoende diergesondheid, die wildbedryf en lewensbestaan kan beskerm. Masters 2025-06-11T12:32:14Z 2025-06-11T12:32:14Z 2025-03 Thesis https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/132602 en Stellenbosch University xii, 71 pages : illustrations application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| spellingShingle | African buffalo -- South Africa Mycobacterium bovis -- South Africa Buffaloes -- Diseases -- South Africa Tuberculosis in animals -- South Africa UCTD Mhlophe, Sinegugu Kholeka Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) DNA in historically mycobacterium bovis-free African buffalo (syncerus caffer) herds in South Africa |
| title | Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) DNA in historically mycobacterium bovis-free African buffalo (syncerus caffer) herds in South Africa |
| title_full | Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) DNA in historically mycobacterium bovis-free African buffalo (syncerus caffer) herds in South Africa |
| title_fullStr | Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) DNA in historically mycobacterium bovis-free African buffalo (syncerus caffer) herds in South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) DNA in historically mycobacterium bovis-free African buffalo (syncerus caffer) herds in South Africa |
| title_short | Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) DNA in historically mycobacterium bovis-free African buffalo (syncerus caffer) herds in South Africa |
| title_sort | detection of mycobacterium tuberculosis complex mtbc dna in historically mycobacterium bovis free african buffalo syncerus caffer herds in south africa |
| topic | African buffalo -- South Africa Mycobacterium bovis -- South Africa Buffaloes -- Diseases -- South Africa Tuberculosis in animals -- South Africa UCTD |
| url | https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/132602 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT mhlophesinegugukholeka detectionofmycobacteriumtuberculosiscomplexmtbcdnainhistoricallymycobacteriumbovisfreeafricanbuffalosynceruscafferherdsinsouthafrica |