Mycobacterium bovis in Egyptian mongoose, Spain

Tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis and other related mycobacteria has been reported in a wide range of mammals worldwide. In the case of the Herpestidae family, Mycobacterium mungi and M. bovis, both belonging to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex, have been reported in banded mongooses (Mungos mungo) in Africa and in Egyptian mongooses (Herpestes ichneumon) in Portugal, respectively. Thus, we hypothesized that Tuberculosis may occur in Egyptian mongooses from Spain. Twenty‐five found dead Egyptian mongooses were necropsied in order to detect macroscopic TB‐compatible lesions and mandibular lymph nodes and lungs were cultured onto mycobacteria‐specific growth media. We isolated M. bovis in 3/25 Egyptian mongooses (12.00%, IC95: 4.17–29.96%) and identified spoligotypes SB0121 (2/3) and SB0134 (1). No macroscopic TB‐compatible lesions were observed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of M. bovis in Egyptian mongoose in Spain, as well as the only study that includes spolygotyping in this species. Although the absence of visible lesions suggests a minor role of the Egyptian mongoose in Tuberculosis epidemiology, further research thereon is encouraged.

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of M. bovis in Egyptian mongoose in Spain, as well as the only study that includes spolygotyping in this species. Although the absence of visible lesions suggests a minor role of the Egyptian mongoose in Tuberculosis epidemiology, further research thereon is encouraged. bovis DNA in two others, obtaining a total prevalence of 20% by culture or PCR. Thus, we hypothesized that infection with MTC may occur in Egyptian mongooses from Spain.

| MATERIAL S AND ME THODS
Between 2018 and 2021, we collected 25 Egyptian mongoose carcasses in Castilla-La Mancha region (central Spain; Figure 1).
Hunting the species is banned, so all samples derived from roadkills.
During necropsy, mandibular, mediastinal and tracheobronchial lymph nodes (LN), tonsils, lungs and spleen were visually examined in order to detect macroscopic TB-compatible lesions. Further, 2 g of mandibular LN and 2 g of lung tissue from each animal were stored at −20°C until further analysis. Samples were decontaminated using 0.75% (w/v) hexadecyl pyridinium chloride for 1 h, and cultured onto

| RE SULTS
Mycobacterium bovis was isolated from three individuals (12.00%, IC95: 4.17-29.96%) and the isolates were identified and characterized by spoligotyping with the two profiles SB0121 (two cases) and data further confirm that the Egyptian mongoose, a native and expanding carnivore, can harbour MTC in the Iberian Peninsula.
Frequency estimation based on bacteriological isolation may underestimate true prevalence, as culture displays excellent specificity but poor sensitivity (60%; Cousins & Florisson, 2005). Further, tissues might have suffered degradation from freezing as well. Thus, true prevalence may be higher. The two identified spoligotypes are the most prevalent ones reported in domestic and wild ungulates in Spain (Rodríguez et al., 2010) and have already been detected in cattle from Castilla-La Mancha (Gomez-Buendia et al., 2021). The confirmed presence of MTC infection in Egyptian mongooses from Spain suggests that further research of its role in MTC epidemiology is advisable (Corner, 2006). However, the absence of visible lesions leads to think of a minor role of the Egyptian mongoose in TB dynamics.

AUTH O R CO NTR I B UTI O N S
Esther Descalzo collected the carcasses when notified of roadkills.

ACK N O WLE D G E M ENTS
We would like to thank colleagues that notified of Egyptian mongoose roads kills.

FU N D I N G I N FO R M ATI O N
The present study is part of the research project SBPLY/17/180501/000184, funded by the Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and it has been partly funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fishing and Food. E. Ferreras-Colino and E. Descalzo hold a PhD contract from the UCLM co-supported by the European Social Fund.

CO N FLI C T O F I NTE R E S T S TATE M E NT
The authors also declare that they have no conflict of interest.

E TH I C S S TATEM ENT
The present study did not involve purposeful killing of animals. All animals were found dead due to roadkills. Protocols, amendments and other resources were done according to the guidelines approved The authors declare that this work has not been published before, it is not under consideration for publication anywhere else, and it has been read and approved by all co-authors and by the responsible authorities at the institute where the work has been carried out.

DATA AVA I L A B I L I T Y S TAT E M E N T
The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.