Animal tuberculosis in radiation-exposed settings: an intersectoral "One Health" approach in a laboratory animal model

Abstract

Information on the course and pathogenesis of animal tuberculosis — a dangerous zoonosis — against the background of radiation exposure, which is accompanied by a decrease in the specific reactivity of the organism and the development of progressive immunodeficiency, remains limited. At the same time, taking into account the current global and regional threats of man-made disasters, as well as the risks associated with the military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine (the capture and damage to the Chernobyl NPP, the occupation of the Zaporizhzhia NPP, periodic disruptions to the stability of their operation and systematic missile attacks on energy infrastructure), the problem becomes particularly relevant within the framework of the intersectoral concept of «One Health», which combines animal and human health and the state of the environment. In our studies, guinea pigs irradiated with different doses of gamma radiation were infected with tuberculosis mycobacteria of different species (Mycobacterium bovis, M. tuberculosis, M. avium) and examined for 90 days using clinical, allergic, serological, pathoanatomical and histological methods to study clinical and pathological manifestations, immunological reactions and dynamics of animal death. A dose-dependent acceleration of mortality and generalization of the tuberculous process in irradiated animals was established, especially under the influence of sublethal and lethal doses of gamma radiation (150–200 R; 0.0387–0.0516 C/kg), which was accompanied by the development of acute radiation sickness, pronounced vascular disorders and activation of exudative-necrotic processes. Pathological changes were in the nature of a confluent caseous-necrotic lesion of target organs. The results obtained indicate that radiation damage significantly modifies the course of tuberculosis, accelerating the development of the infectious process and increasing its severity, which is of great importance for assessing epizootic and epidemiological risks in areas of potential or real radiation contamination. The study emphasizes the need for an integrated approach to the control of zoonotic infections in emergency conditions within the One Health concept, especially in conditions of military threats to nuclear and radiation safety.