Question

Which of the following zoonotic pathogens is commonly transmitted through raw milk?
A. Mycobacterium bovis, B. Bacillus cereus, C. Brucella abortus, D. Lactococcus lactis
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. A and B only
• B. B and C only
• C. A and C only
• D. B and D only

Hint:

Remember the two classic milk-borne zoonoses targeted by veterinary public health and pasteurization laws: Tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis) and Brucellosis (Brucella abortus).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Zoonotic pathogens are infectious agents that can be transmitted naturally between vertebrate animals and humans. Raw milk is an established vector for several of these classical zoonotic diseases.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
- A. Mycobacterium bovis: The bacterium responsible for bovine tuberculosis. It can infect humans who consume unpasteurized milk from infected cows, causing extra-pulmonary tuberculosis. Hence, A is a zoonotic milk-borne pathogen.
- C. Brucella abortus: The bacterium responsible for bovine brucellosis, which causes undulant fever (brucellosis) in humans through the consumption of raw milk. Hence, C is a zoonotic milk-borne pathogen.
- B. Bacillus cereus: An environmental, spore-forming contaminant. While it causes food poisoning, it is not classified as a classical zoonotic pathogen transmitted directly from the cow's system to milk.
- D. Lactococcus lactis: A non-pathogenic, beneficial lactic acid bacterium used as a starter culture, with no pathogenic or zoonotic properties.

Step 3: Final Answer
The zoonotic pathogens commonly transmitted through raw milk are Mycobacterium bovis and Brucella abortus (A and C only), corresponding to option (C).