Occurrence and Pathology of Bovine Tuberculosis at Jos Abattoir, Plateau State, North Central Nigeria

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB), caused by Mycobacterium bovis, is a chronic granulomatous disease of cattle with significant zoonotic and economic implications, particularly in Nigeria's North Central zone where cattle rearing and human-animal interaction are frequent. This study determined the prevalence and described gross and histopathological lesions of bTB in cattle slaughtered at Jos Terminus Abattoir, Plateau State, from February to August 2023. A total of 350 cattle carcasses were examined post-mortem by trained meat inspectors and a veterinary pathologist. Tissues showing granulomatous lesions were collected, subjected to Ziehl-Neelsen staining for acid-fast bacilli, and processed for haematoxylin and eosin histological evaluation. The overall prevalence of bTB-compatible lesions was 8.6 percent. Lesions were most frequently found in the lungs, mediastinal lymph nodes, liver, and spleen. Gross pathology revealed multifocal caseous nodules with central mineralisation in affected organs. Histopathologically, lesions were characterised by central caseous necrosis surrounded by epithelioid macrophages, Langhans-type multinucleated giant cells, and peripheral lymphocytic infiltration, consistent with classical granulomatous pathology. Acid-fast bacilli were confirmed in 75 percent of histologically positive specimens. These findings emphasise the public health risk posed by bTB in abattoir workers and raw milk consumers. Keywords: bovine tuberculosis, Mycobacterium bovis, granuloma, Jos, histopathology