Bovine tuberculosis

What is TB?

Bovine tuberculosis (TB) is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis). It predominantly affects cattle causing lesions and death. However, M. bovis can also infect and cause TB in badgers, deer, goats, pigs and camelids.

VLA research

VLA is an OIE reference laboratory for bovine TB and has been at the forefront of research on this disease covering vaccine development and new diagnostic tests.

Our aim is to increase our understanding of the pathogenesis and transmission of TB, and risk factors.

We also provide surveillance information on the cases of TB in cattle and other species.

Genome sequence

A large collaborative project has made the entire genome sequence of Mycobacterium available.

The sequencing teams were based at VLA Weybridge, The Institute Pasteur, Paris and The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, UK.

The paper describing the main findings of the genome was published in June 2003: T Garnier et al, 2003. "The complete genome sequence of Mycobacterium bovis." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA 100 (13) 7877-7882

Badger vaccine

VLA led the research programme on the use of the injectable form of the human vaccine BCG for the use in badgers, working closely with the Food and Environmental Research Agency (Fera).

In March 2010, BadgerBCG, the first TB vaccine for badgers, was licensed for use by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate with VLA as the market authorisation holder.

A scientific paper summarising the results of the research has been accepted for publication: Mark Chambers et al, 2010. "Bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccination reduces the severity and progression of tuberculosis in badgers." Proceedings of the Royal Society B (Biological Sciences) 278: 1913-1920.

Further information on the research and data is available on the Defra website.

VLA's vaccine research will now focus on the development of an oral bait formulation.