Exploration of Tuberculosis Transmission between Humans and Cows through Milk Testing in South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health concern in Indonesia, which ranks second globally in TB burden. Zoonotic transmission involving dairy cattle has received limited attention, especially in South Sulawesi Province. This study explored the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) DNA in raw milk samples and examined possible transmission between humans and dairy cows in Cendana Sub-district, Enrekang Regency. A cross-sectional design was employed, involving 50 respondents, including dairy cattle owners and individuals with a documented or suspected history of TB. Milk samples (n=60) were collected from 20 farms and analyzed using PCR targeting the IS6110 sequence. Results showed that 47% of milk samples and 65% of farms were PCR-positive for MTBC. Notably, three farmers reported prolonged cough without an official TB diagnosis; two of them owned cows with PCR-positive milk. These findings highlight potential underreporting of TB in humans and possible zoonotic and reverse zoonotic transmission or contamination. This study underscores the need for integrated One Health surveillance and stronger biosecurity and milk hygiene measures in dairy farming communities.
Key words: Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Bovine tuberculosis, Dairy cows, Epidemiology, Indonesia