Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious viral disease that mainly affects goats and sheep in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The PPR virus (PPRV) can be classified into four genetically distinct lineages (I, II, III, and IV). All have been historically present in Africa, except the Asian lineage IV that has been spreading across the globe and Africa for the last decades. Previous studies have identified the presence of the lineage IV in Nigeria since 2010. In this study, samples were taken from 268 small ruminants with PPR symptoms across Nigeria in 2017-2018 to provide an update on the distribution and genetic diversity of the lineage IV in the country. Sequence from a portion of the PPRV nucleoprotein (N) gene could be obtained from 72 samples, and all but one belonged to lineage IV. Phylogenetic analysis identified at least 5 lineage IV sub-clusters in Nigeria, re-grouping samples across multiple regions. Our results suggest an extensive endemic circulation of PPRV lineage IV across Nigeria and across borders with neighbouring countries, highlighting the difficulty of the control of this disease in the region.

Rabies is a global viral zoonosis endemic to South Africa, resulting in fatal encephalitis in warm blooded animals, including humans. The loss of human lives and economic losses in rural areas through loss of livestock are substantial. A review was conducted of all confirmed rabies cases in South Africa from 1993 to 2019, with a total of 11 701 cases identified to species level to assess the wildlife plays in the epidemiology of rabies. A spatiotemporal cluster analysis using a discrete Poisson space-time probability model, accounting for underlying estimated dog and livestock densities, identified 13 significant clusters (p<0.05). These included four long-term clusters lasting more than 8 years in duration and seven short term clusters lasting less than 2 years, with the remaining two clusters being of intermediate length. Outside of these endemic clusters, wildlife outbreaks in the remainder of South Africa were often less than one and a half years in duration most likely due to the rapid decline of wildlife vectors, especially jackals associated with rabies infection. Domestic dogs accounted for 59.8% of cases, with domestic cats (3.2%), livestock (21.1%) and wildlife (15.8%) making up the remainder of the cases. Yellow mongoose (Cynictis penicillate) was the most frequently affected wildlife species, followed by bat-eared fox (Otocyon megalotis), black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas), meerkat (Suricata suricatta) and aardwolf (Proteles cristatus). Rabies in wildlife species followed different spatial distributions: black-backed jackal cases were more common in the north-western parts of South Africa, yellow mongoose cases more frequent in central South Africa, and bat-eared fox and aardwolf cases were more frequent in southern and western South Africa. Clusters often spanned several provinces, showing the importance of coordinated rabies control campaigns across administrative boundaries, and high-risk areas were highlighted for rabies in South Africa.

Porcine Sapovirus (SaV) was first identified by electron microscopy in the United States in 1980 and has since been reported from both asymptomatic and diarrheic pigs usually in mixed infection with other enteric pathogens. SaV as the sole etiological agent of diarrhea in naturally infected pigs has not previously been reported in the United States. Here, we used four independent lines of evidence including metagenomics analysis, real-time RT-PCR (rRT-PCR), histopathology, and in situ hybridization to confirm porcine SaV genogroup III (GIII) as the sole cause of enteritis and diarrhea in pigs. A highly sensitive and specific rRT-PCR was established to detect porcine SaV GIII. Examination of 184 fecal samples from the outbreak farm showed that pigs with clinical diarrhea had significantly lower Ct values (15.9 ± 0.59) compared to clinically unaffected pigs (35.8 ± 0.71). Further survey of 336 fecal samples from different states in the United States demonstrated that samples from pigs with clinical diarrhea had a comparable positive rate (45.3%) with those from non-clinical pigs (43.1%). However, the SaV-positive pigs with clinical diarrhea had significantly higher viral loads (Ct = 26.0 ± 0.5) than those positive but clinically healthy pigs (Ct = 33.2 ± 0.9). Phylogenetic analysis of 20 field SaVs revealed that all belonged to SaV GIII and recombination analysis indicated that intra-genogroup recombination occurred within the field isolates of SaV GIII. These results suggest that porcine SaV GIII plays an important etiologic role in swine enteritis and diarrhea and rRT-PCR is a reliable method to detect porcine SaV. Our findings provide significant insights to better understand the epidemiology and pathogenicity of porcine SaV.

This study reports the development of multiplex real-time PCR assays for differential detection of capripoxvirus (CaPV), parapoxvirus (PaPV), and foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) in sheep, goats and cattle. Three multiplex assays were developed, a capripox (CaP) rule-out assay for simultaneous detection and differentiation of CaPV and PaPV, a FMD rule-out assay for simultaneous detection and differentiation of FMDV and PaPV, and a FMD/CaP rule-out assay for simultaneous detection and differentiation of CaPV, PaPV and FMDV. All multiplex assays included -actin gene ACTB as an internal positive control to monitor PCR inhibition and accuracy of nucleic acid extractions. The optimized assays were highly specific to the target viruses (CaPV, PaPV, and FMDV) with no cross-reactivity against other differential viruses. Using positive control plasmids as template, the limit of detection (LOD) of the multiplex assays were estimated as 2 (CaPV), 7 (PaPV), and 15 (FMDV) copies per assay. The amplification efficiency (AE) and correlation co-efficient (R2), estimated from the standard curves (Ct vs. log10 template dilution), were 94-106% and >0.99, respectively, for CaP and FMD rule-out assays, 96-116% (AE) and >0.98 (R2), respectively, for CaP/FMD rule-out assays and 91-102% and >0.99, respectively, for the corresponding singleplex assays. The diagnostic sensitivity (DSe) of the multiplex assays was assessed on 35 (CaPV), 36 (PaPV) and 39 (FMDV) clinical specimens collected from experimentally (CaPV and FMDV) and naturally (PaPV) infected animals, and all tested positive (DSe 100%) except two FMDV specimens that were tested negative (37/39; DSe 95%). The newly developed multiplex assays offer a valuable tool for differential detection of clinically indistinguishable CaPV, PaPV, and FMDV in suspected animals and animals with mixed infections.

Objectives: evaluate the Surveillance Program of Gestational and Congenital Toxoplasmosis. Methods: 424 pregnant women were interviewed regarding their knowledge of prevention measures in 2019. Secondary prevention measures were assessed on the results of anti-Toxoplasma gondii serological tests were collected from pregnant women, from 2015 to 2018. the tertiary prevention measures, we screened the babies of mothers who had recent suspected infections of T. gondii to verify the referrals to the reference service. Results: 45.5% (192/424) reported that they had received guidance from health professionals; 35.4% (68/192) changed their risk habits. The variables of schooling and age, having received prior guidance from health professionals and feline possession, proved to be significant when associated with the notions of preventive measures. 90.2% (17,423 / 19,319) of pregnant women had undergone serological tests to detect anti-T. gondii antibodies but there was an excess in requests for tests and medication and only 40.6% (26/64) of the children were referred to the referral hospital. Conclusions: the Program presents positive results regarding the performance of serological screening in prenatal care; however, the dissemination of knowledge about the prevention of toxoplasmosis and the request for tests need to be improved.

Since 2014, highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N6 viruses have been responsible for outbreaks in poultry. In this study, four H5N6 virus strains were isolated from fecal samples of sick white ducks and dead chickens in Shandong in 2019. These H5N6 viruses were triple-reassortant viruses that have not been previously characterized. Their HA genes were derived from the H5 viruses and were closely related to the vaccine strain Re-11. Their NA genes all fell into the N6-like lineage and the internal gene were derived from H5N1 and H9N2 viruses. They all showed high pathogenicity in mice and caused lethal infection with high rates of transmission in chickens. Moreover, the SPF chickens inoculated with the current used vaccine in China were completely protected from these four H5N6 viruses. Our study indicated the necessity of continued surveillance for H5 IAV and the importance of timely update of vaccine strains in poultry industry.

Newcastle disease (ND), caused by avian orthoavulavirus type-1 (NDV), is endemic in poultry in the Middle East causing continuing outbreaks in poultry populations despite efforts to vaccinate. In the past, genotype 2.XXI (former 2.VI) was present in poultry in Egypt but has been replaced by genotype 2.VII. We investigated whether virus evolution contributed to superseding, and focused on the antigenic sites within the Heamagglutinin-Neuramindase (HN) spike protein. Full length sequences of a NDV genotype 2.VII isolate currently circulating in Egypt was compared to a genotype 2.XXI isolate that was present as co-infection with vaccine type viruses (2.II) in an historical isolate of the year 2011. Amino acid differences in the HN glycoprotein for both 2.XXI and 2.VII viruses amounted to 11,7% and 11,9 % compared to LaSota vaccine type. However, mutations within the globular head (aa 126-570), bearing relevant antigenic sites, were underrepresented (aa divergence of 8,8% and 8,1 % compared to 22,4% and 25,6% within the fragment encompassing cytoplasmic tail, transmembrane part and stalk regions (aa 1-125) for genotypes 2.XXI and 2.VII, respectively. Nevertheless, reaction patterns of HN-specific monoclonal antibodies revealed differences between vaccine type viruses and genotype 2.XXI and 2.VII viruses for specific epitopes. Accordingly, compared to Egyptian vaccine type isolates and the LaSota vaccine reference strain, single aa substitutions in 6 of 10 described neutralizing epitopes were found within the attachment protein. However, the same alterations in neutralization sensitive epitopes were present in old genotype 2.XXI as well as in newly emerged genotype 2.VII isolates. In addition, isolates were indistinguishable by polyclonal chicken sera raised against different genotypes including vaccine viruses. These findings suggest, that factors other than antigenic differences within the HN-protein account for facilitating spread of genotype 2.VII while displacing genotype 2.XXI viruses in Egypt.

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2) is a newly emerging Lagovirus belonging to the family Caliciviridae. After its first discovery in 2010 in France, this highly pathogenic virus rapidly spread to neighboring countries and has become the dominant strain, replacing the classical RHDV1 strains. RHDV2 was first reported in North America in 2016 in Mont-Joli, Quebec, Canada and it was reported again in 2018 and 2019 on Vancouver, Island and the southeast mainland of British Columbia (BC). The whole genome sequence of the RHDV2 Quebec isolate resembled the RHDV-N11 isolate from Navarra, Spain identified in 2011 with 97% identity. The epidemiological investigation involved three hobby farms and one personal residence. In December and February 2018, high mortality was reported in first a private feral rabbit refuge and then, a large colony of feral rabbits on the Vancouver Island University Campus, Nanaimo, BC. The virus responsible showed only 93% identity to the Quebec RHDV2 isolate at the nucleotide level. Additional cases of RHDV2 on Vancouver Island and on the BC mainland affecting feral, captive domestic and commercial rabbits were reported subsequently. Vaccination was recommended to control the outbreak and an inactivated bivalent vaccine was made available to the private veterinary practices. In June 2019 an isolated RHDV2 outbreak was reported in an apartment building in Vancouver, BC. This virus showed only 97% identity to the RHDV2 isolate responsible for the BC outbreak in 2018 at the nucleotide level suggesting that it was an independent incursion. In October 2020, there are reports of partial recovery of the feral population in Nanaimo and to date there are no confirmed deaths of native rabbit species in BC.

Porcine astroviruses (PoAstVs) have been reported globally and are divided into at least five distinct lineages (PoAstV1-PoAsV5). The primary objective of this study was to summarize the scientific literature about the frequency of detection, associated clinical presentations, and type of samples and diagnostic tools used for the detection of porcine astroviruses. The secondary objective was to summarize the body of knowledge about the causal role in disease of PoAstVs using the Bradford Hill framework. A search was conducted using Centre for Biosciences and Agriculture International (CABI), MEDLINE, American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) Swine Information Library (SIL) abstracts, swine conferences including American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP), and American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD). From 168 studies identified by the search, 29 studies were eligible. Results indicated that 69% (20/29) of the literature on PoAstVs has been published between 2011 and 2018. Of 29 papers, 52% were detection studies (15 of 29) and 48% (14 of 29) were case-control studies. Seventy-two percent (21 of 29) reported differential diagnosis and 10% (3 of 29) reported histologic lesions, out of which 67% (2 of 3) associated the detection of PoAstV3 with development of polioencephalomyelitis. PCR-based assays were the most common diagnostic tools. Keywords: Swine, Astrovirus, Scoping review, Bradford Hill, PoAstV detection

Level and duration of protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2 after primary infection is of crucial importance for preventive approaches. In order to provide evidence for the longevity of specific antibodies, we investigated the generation and maintenance of neutralizing antibodies of convalescent SARS-CoV-2-afflicted patients over a five month period post primary infection using an immunofluorescence assay, a commercial chemiluminescent immunoassay and an in-house enzyme-linked plaque-reduction neutralization assay. We present the successful application of an improved version of the plaque-reduction neutralization assay, which can be analyzed optometrically, significantly simplifying the interpretation of the results. Based on the results of the plaque-reduction neutralization assay, neutralizing antibodies were maintained in 85.3% of convalescent individuals without significant decay over five months. Furthermore, a positive correlation between severity of infection and neutralizing titer was shown. In conclusion, SARS-CoV-2-afflicted individuals have been proven to be able to establish and maintain neutralizing antibodies over a five months’ period after primary infection which allows to hope for long-lasting presumably protective humoral immunity after wild-type infection or even after vaccination.

Summary: This study evaluates through modeling the possible individual and combined effect of three populational parameters of pathogens (reproduction rate; rate of novelty emergence; and propagule size) on the colonization of new host species – putatively the most fundamental process leading to the emergence of new infectious diseases. The results are analyzed under the theoretical framework of the Stockholm Paradigm using IBM simulations to better understand the evolutionary dynamics of the pathogen population and the possible role of Ecological Fitting. The simulations suggest that all three parameters positively influence the success of colonization of new hosts by a novel parasite population but contrary to the prevailing belief, the rate of novelty emergence (e.g. mutations) is the least important factor. Maximization of all parameters result in a synergetic facilitation of the colonization and emulates the expected scenario for pathogenic microorganisms. The simulations also provide theoretical support for the retention of the capacity of fast-evolving lineages to retro-colonize their previous host species/lineage by ecological fitting. Capacity is, thus, much larger than we can anticipate. Hence, the results support the empirical observations that opportunity of encounter (i.e. the breakdown in mechanisms for ecological isolation) is a fundamental determinant to the emergence of new associations – especially Emergent Infectious Diseases - and the dynamics of host exploration, as observed in SARS-CoV-2. Insights on the dynamics of Emergent Infectious Diseases derived from the simulations and from the Stockholm Paradigm are discussed.

Swine acute diarrhea syndrome coronavirus (SADS-CoV) is a newly identified swine enteropathogenic coronavirus that causes watery diarrhea in neonatal piglets, leading to significant economic losses to the swine industry. Currently there are no suitable serological method to assess the infection of SADV-CoV and effectiveness of vaccines, making an urgent need to exploit effect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to compensate for this deficiency. In this study, an indirect ELISA (S-iELISA) based on recombinant spike (S) protein expressed in Baculovirus was developed and evaluated. The reaction conditions of S-iELISA were optimized and cut-off value determined as 0.3711 by analyzing OD450nm values of 40 SADS-CoV-negative sera confirmed by immunoinfluscent assay (IFA) and Western Blot. The coefficients of variation of 6 positive sera within and between runs of S-iELISA were both less than 10% and cross-reactivity assays demonstrated that S-iELISA was non-cross-reactive with other swine viruses’ sera. Furthermore, the overall coincidence rate between IFA and S-iELISA was 97.3% based on testing 111 clinical serum samples. Virus neutralization test with 7 different OD450nm value sera showed that the OD450nm values tested by S-iELISA are positive correlated with virus neutralization. Finally, a total of 300 pig field serum samples were tested by S-iELISA and commercial kits of other swine enteroviruses showed that the IgG-positive for SADS-CoV, TGEV, PDCoV and PEDV were 81.7%, 54%, 65.3%, 6%, respectively. The results suggest this S-iELISA is specific, sensitive, repeatable and can be applied for vaccines evaluation and detection the SADS-CoV infection in swine industry.

Numerous studies have unsuccessfully tried to unravel the definitive host of the coccidian parasite Besnoitia besnoiti. Cattle infections by B. besnoiti cause a chronic and debilitating condition called bovine besnoitiosis that has emerged in Europe during the last two decades, mainly due to limitations in its control associated to the absence of vaccines and therapeutical tools. Although the exact transmission pathway of B. besnoiti is currently unknown, it is assumed that the parasite might have an indirect life cycle with a carnivore as definitive host. Current lack of studies in wildlife might underestimate the importance of free-living species in the epidemiology of B. besnoiti. Thus, the aim of the present study is to assess the presence of Besnoitia spp. in free-ranging mesocarnivores in Spain. DNA was searched by PCR on faeces collected from wild carnivores as a first approach to determine which species could be considered as potential definitive host candidates in further research. For this purpose, a total of 352 faecal samples from 12 free-living wild carnivore species belonging to the Canidae, Felidae, Herpestidae, Mustelidae, Procyonidae, and Viverridae families were collected in seven Spanish regions. PCR testing showed that Besnoitia spp. DNA was present in four faecal samples from red foxes collected in western Spain, an area with the greatest density of extensively reared cattle and associated to high incidence of bovine besnoitiosis in the country. To date, this is the first report of a Besnoitia besnoiti-like sequence (99.57% homology) from carnivore faeces in a worldwide context. Red foxes might contribute to the epidemiology of B. besnoiti, although further studies, mostly based on bioassay, would be needed to elucidate the accuracy and extent of these interesting findings.

Leishmaniasis is caused by protozoans of the Leishmania genus, which includes more than 20 species capable of infecting humans worldwide. In the Americas, the most widespread specie is L. braziliensis, present in 18 countries, including Bolivia. The taxonomic position of the L. braziliensis complex has been a subject of controversy, complicated further by the recent identification of a particular subpopulation named L. braziliensis atypical or outlier. The aim of this study was to carry out a systematic analysis of the L. braziliensis complex in Bolivia and to describe the associated clinical characteristics. Forty-one strains were analyzed by sequencing an amplified 1245 bp fragment of the hsp70 gene, which allowed its identification as: 24 (59%) L. braziliensis, 16 (39%) L. braziliensis outlier and one (2%) L. peruviana. In a dendrogram constructed, L. braziliensis and L. peruviana are grouped in the same cluster, whilst L. braziliensis outlier appears in a separate branch. Sequence alignment allowed the identification of five non-polymorphic nucleotide positions (288, 297, 642, 993 and 1213) that discriminate L. braziliensis and L. peruviana from L. braziliensis outlier. Moreover, nucleotide positions 51 and 561 enable L. peruviana to be discriminated from the other two taxa. A greater diversity, was observed in L . braziliensis outlier than in L. braziliensis- L. peruviana. The 41 strains came from 32 patients with tegumentary leishmaniasis, among which 22 patients (69%) presented cutaneous lesions (11 caused by L. braziliensis and 11 by L. braziliensis outlier) and ten patients (31%) mucocutaneous lesions (eight caused by L. braziliensis, one by L. braziliensis outlier and one by L. peruviana). Nine patients (28%) simultaneously provided two isolates, each from a separate lesion, and in each case the same genotype was identified in both. Treatment failure was observed in six patients infected with L. braziliensis and one patient with L. peruviana.

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a viral transboundary disease of small ruminants that causes significant damage to agriculture. This disease has not been previously registered in the Republic of Kazakhstan (RK). This paper presents an assessment of the susceptibility of the RK’s territory to the spread of the disease in the event of its importation from infected countries. The Generalized Linear Negative Binomial regression model that was trained on the PPR outbreaks in China was used to rank municipal districts in the RK in terms of PPR spread risk. The outbreaks count per administrative district was used as a risk indicator, while a number of socio-economic, landscape and climatic factors were considered as explanatory variables. Summary road length, altitude, the density of small ruminants, the maximum green vegetation fraction, cattle density and the Engel coefficient were the most significant factors. The model demonstrated a good performance in training data (R 2 = 0.69) and was transferred to the RK, suggesting a significantly lower susceptibility of this country to the spread of PPR. Hot Spot analysis identified three clusters of districts at the highest risk, located in the western, eastern and southern parts of Kazakhstan. As part of the study, a countrywide survey was conducted to collect data on the distribution of livestock populations, which resulted in the compilation of a complete geo-database of small ruminant holdings in the RK. The research results may be used to formulate a national strategy for preventing the importation and spread of PPR in Kazakhstan through targeted monitoring in high-risk areas.

Porcine circoviruses are important pathogens of production swine. Porcine circovirus type 1 (PCV1) is non-pathogenic, and discovered as a contaminant of a porcine kidney cell line, PK-15. The discovery of pathogenic variant, PCV2, occurred in the late 90’s in association with post-weaning multi-systemic wasting disease syndrome (PMWS), which is characterized by wasting, respiratory signs and lymphadenopathy in weanling pigs. A new PCV type, designated as PCV3, was discovered in 2016, in pigs manifesting porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome (PDNS), respiratory distress and reproductive failure. Pathological manifestations of PCV3 Infections include systemic inflammation, vasculitis and myocarditis. A 4 th PCV type, PCV4, was identified in 2020 in pigs with PDNS, respiratory and enteric signs. All the pathogenic PCV types are detected in both healthy and morbid pigs. They cause chronic, systemic infections with various clinical manifestations. Dysregulation of the immune system homeostasis is a pivotal trigger for pathogenesis in porcine circoviral infections. While the study of PCV3 immunobiology is still in its infancy lessons learned from PCV2 and other circular replication-associated protein (Rep)-​encoding single stranded(ss) (CRESS) DNA viruses can inform the field of exploration for PCV3. Viral interactions with the innate immune system, interference with dendritic cell function coupled with the direct loss of lymphocytes compromises both innate and adaptive immunity in PCV2 infections. Dysregulated immune responses leading to the establishment of a pro-inflammatory state, immune complex associated hypersensitivity, and the necrosis of lymphocytes and immune cells are key features of PCV3 immunopathogenesis. A critical overview of the comparative immunopathology of PCV2 and PCV3/4, and directions for future research in the field are presented in this review.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to recalculate the efficacy of these two vaccine strains, and to discuss the main variables associated with controlled trials to evaluate bovine brucellosis vaccines efficacy. The most used vaccine strain was S19, at the dose of 10 10 colony forming units (CFU), followed by the vaccine strain RB51 at 10 10 CFU. The most used challenge strain was B. abortus 2308, at the dose of 10 7 CFU by intraconjunctival route. For the meta-analysis, trials were grouped according to the vaccine strain and dose to recalculate protection against abortion (four groups) or infection (five groups), using pooled risk ratio (RR) and vaccine efficacy (VE). For protection against abortion (n = 15 trials), S19 vaccine at 10 9 CFU exhibited the highest protection rate (RR = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.12 to 0.52; VE = 75.09%, 95% CI: 48.08 – 88.05), followed by RB51 10 10 (RR = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.16 to 0.61; VE = 69.25%, 95% CI: 39.48 – 84.38). For protection against infection (n = 23 trials), only two subgroups exhibited significant protection: S19 at 10 9 CFU (RR = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.14 to 0.55; VE = 72.03%, 95% CI: 57.70 – 81.50) and RB51 at 10 10 CFU dose (RR = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.22 to 0.84; VE = 57.05%, 95% CI: 30.90 – 73.30). In conclusion, our results suggest that the dose of 10 9 CFU for S19 and 10 10 CFU for RB51 are the most suitable for the prevention of abortion and infection caused by B. abortus.

The incidence of bovine tuberculosis (TB, caused by Mycobacterium bovis) in cattle has been associated with TB in badgers ( Meles meles) in parts of England. The aim was to identify badger associated M. bovis reservoirs in the Edge Area, between the High and Low Risk Areas for cattle TB. Data from badger TB surveys were sparse. Therefore, a definition for a local M. bovis reservoir potentially shared by cattle and badgers was developed using cattle TB surveillance data. The performance of the definition was estimated through Latent Class Analysis using badger TB survey data. Spatial units (25 km 2 ) in the Edge Area were classified as having a reservoir if they had i) at least one OTF-W (Officially Tuberculosis Free – Withdrawn) incident in a cattle herd not attributed to cattle movement in the previous two years, ii) more OTF-W incidents than Officially Tuberculosis Free – Suspended (OTF-S) incidents in the previous two years and iii) at least one TB incident (OTF-S or OTF-W) in at least three of the previous seven years. Approximately twenty percent of the Edge Area was classified as having a local M. bovis reservoir using the cattle-based definition. Assuming 15% TB prevalence in Edge Area badgers, sensitivity for the local M. bovis reservoir definition varied from 25.7% (95% Credible Interval (CrI) 10.7 to 85.1 %) to 64.8 % (95% CrI 48.1 to 88.0 %). Specificity was 91.9% (CrI 83.6 to 97.4 %). Over ninety percent of the local reservoir was in stable endemic TB areas identified through previous work and its spatial distribution was largely consistent with local veterinary knowledge. Uncertainty in the reservoir spatial distribution was explored through its recalculation in spatial units shifted in different directions. We recommend that the definition is re-evaluated as further data on badger infection with M. bovis becomes available.