Experimental infection models of tuberculosis in domestic livestock

In this article we present experimental Mycobacterium bovis infection models in domestic livestock species and how these models were applied to vaccine development, biomarker discovery and the definition of specific antigens for the differential diagnosis of infected and vaccinated animals (DIVA). In particular, we highlight synergies between human and bovine tuberculosis (TB) research approaches and data and propose that the application of bovine TB models could make a valuable contribution to human TB vaccine research and close alignment of both research programmes in a One Health philosophy will lead to mutual and substantial benefits.