Introduction: Ethiopia is one of the highest TB burden countries in the world. Transmission of M. tuberculosis
between humans is well known, however, little is known about the transmission of M. tuberculosis complex species
between human and animals, in particular cattle. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to investigate the status of
bovine tuberculosis infection in cattle owned by tuberculosis suspected households and isolate M. tuberculosis complex
species from sputum of chronic coughers in North Wollo Zone of the Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia.
Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in selected Kebeles of North Wollo Zone. An intradermal tuberculin
skin test was carried out on 381 cattle and sputum samples collected from 124 chronic coughers. Sputum samples were
cultured and positive ones were identified by polymerase chain reaction using RD4 and RD9 as a marker.
Result: Of the 124 sputum samples cultured, 4/ 124 (3.2%) were positive. Polymerase Chain Reaction using has
confirmed that 2/4 (50%) were found to be M. tuberculosis while the rest was atypical Mycobacterial species. Of the 381
tested cattle 5/381 (1.31%) and 10/38 (2.63%) were found positive according to manufacturer recommendation (with a
cutoff value > 4 mms) and a cutoff value > 2 mms, respectively. About 67% (6/9) of the individuals who owned positive
cattle were having the habit of drinking raw milk. Among the ten positives, five of them resided in lowland (Kolla) areas
(1300-1500 mabs). However, none of the owners of tuberculin positive cattle were found to be TB positive.
Conclusion: This study has shown 3.2% of culture positivity and of these two were found to be M. tuberculosis.
The sputum sample culturing from suspected chronically coughing individuals would help detection of the TB causative
agents. According to the current findings BTB is considerable in Ethiopia and cattle should be seen as a potential source
of zoonotic TB to humans.