Vitamin D could help control TB in animals.

A new study has shown that vitamin D supplementation could help control tuberculosis(TB) in animals. Wild boar and red deer are key hosts of TB and transmit the disease to cattle and other species, causing a major problem in farm and domestic animals across Europe, but Vitamin D supplementation can reduce the severity of tuberculosis (TB) in wild boar and red deer. A research published Research in Veterinary Science reveals that vitamin D supplementation reduces the incidence and severity of tuberculosis (TB) in wild boar and red deer.Vitamin D is known to influence the severity of TB in humans but its relationship with cattle and other mammals has not been studied until recently. This research takes the 'One Health' approach, that explores human and animal health in a holistic way using key learnings across both disciplines. In the study, half of the animals were given a vitamin D3-enriched food while half were no provided with supplement. In animals with TB, there was a clear correlation between the severity of the disease and their blood concentration of vitamin D3. These animals were also more likely to be suffering from a localized TB infection than severe generalized TB.