Use of BCG vaccination for bovine tuberculosis control: Jerusalem workshop

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is an intractable problem in settings where ‘test-and-cull’ policies are not affordable or socially acceptable, or in areas where Mycobacterium bovis infection is sustained by wildlife reservoirs. Given the limited efficacy of traditional bTB containment methods in these countries, it seems important to re-assess the value of bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination. BCG has been used in humans for nearly 100 years, but its use in animals is limited [1]. A bTB workshop held in Jerusalem considered key bTB knowledge gaps and innovative solutions, with a specific focus on BCG vaccination [2]. Table I presents an overview of bTB knowledge gaps and research needs identified at the workshop.