TB classification |
TB classification |
TB classification |
Exposure |
Meerkats are classified as exposed to TB if they a) are
cohabiting with an individual expressing clinical signs of TB, b) are
born into a group with past or ongoing TB history. The exposed status
does not change if individuals e.g. emigrate and enter a TB-free group,
rather it signifies a high likelihood that individuals had contact with
M. suricattae at some point in their life. Exposed individuals
may be infected, but do not (yet) express clinical signs. |
Meerkats are
classified as exposed to TB if they a) are cohabiting with an individual
expressing clinical signs of TB, b) are born into a group with past or
ongoing TB history. The exposed status does not change if individuals
e.g. emigrate and enter a TB-free group, rather it signifies a high
likelihood that individuals had contact with M. suricattae at
some point in their life. Exposed individuals may be infected, but do
not (yet) express clinical signs. |
Clinical TB signs |
Meerkats are classified as clinical TB cases from
the first day they express clear signs of M. suricattae
infection, specifically lymphadenopathy of submandibular, cervical or
inguinal lymphnodes, or when they were classified as displaying TB signs
by field observers. Individuals with clinical TB are exposed by
definition. |
Meerkats are classified as clinical TB cases from the
first day they express clear signs of M. suricattae infection,
specifically lymphadenopathy of submandibular, cervical or inguinal
lymphnodes, or when they were classified as displaying TB signs by field
observers. Individuals with clinical TB are exposed by
definition. |
Group TB |
Past or present cases of clinical TB within the respective
group. Based on the long subclinical phases, individuals in groups with
past, but not current clinical TB, are considered exposed to TB. Current
clinical cases are not required for a group to be defined as a group
with TB cases. |
Past or present cases of clinical TB within the
respective group. Based on the long subclinical phases, individuals in
groups with past, but not current clinical TB, are considered exposed to
TB. Current clinical cases are not required for a group to be defined as
a group with TB cases. |
Susceptibility |
The time taken for an exposed meerkat to develop
clinical signs of TB, used as proxy of individual susceptibility to
M. suricattae infection upon exposure. While disease transmission
is determined by both exposure and susceptibility to a pathogen, the
susceptibility term here encompasses both mechanisms, so ‘exposure’ can
be used to describe whether individuals are considered in contact with
M. suricattae. |
The time taken for an exposed meerkat to develop
clinical signs of TB, used as proxy of individual susceptibility to
M. suricattae infection upon exposure. While disease transmission
is determined by both exposure and susceptibility to a pathogen, the
susceptibility term here encompasses both mechanisms, so ‘exposure’ can
be used to describe whether individuals are considered in contact with
M. suricattae. |
Resistance |
The time-period between development of clinical signs and
death, representing the capability of an individual to withstand
negative effects of the infection. Please note that here, the term
resistance is not referring to immune function or implying the nature of
immune responses of the individual against M. surciattae but
signifies individual capacity to survive with clinical TB. |
The
time-period between development of clinical signs and death,
representing the capability of an individual to withstand negative
effects of the infection. Please note that here, the term resistance is
not referring to immune function or implying the nature of immune
responses of the individual against M. surciattae but signifies
individual capacity to survive with clinical TB. |
Survival |
Time period between exposure to TB and death, irrespective of
development of clinical disease. |
Time period between exposure to TB
and death, irrespective of development of clinical
disease. |
TB death |
Individual was euthanized with terminal TB infection or
infection was confirmed by post-mortem examination. Individuals
clinically ill with TB but dying of other causes are not included here. |
Individual was euthanized with terminal TB infection or infection was
confirmed by post-mortem examination. Individuals clinically ill with TB
but dying of other causes are not included here. |
Life history parameters |
Life history parameters |
|
First date |
First recorded date for the respective individual, i.e.
birthdate for individuals born into the study population, or date of
first inclusion in the study in case of newly habituated or immigrated
individuals. |
First recorded date for the respective individual, i.e.
birthdate for individuals born into the study population, or date of
first inclusion in the study in case of newly habituated or immigrated
individuals. |
Last date |
Last recorded date for the respective individual, i.e. date
of death or last record of the individual before disappearance. |
Last
recorded date for the respective individual, i.e. date of death or last
record of the individual before disappearance. |
Group start |
First date of records for the respective group |
First
date of records for the respective group |
Group end |
Recorded date of group failure, irrespective of the nature
of this failure (group split, group extinction or group abandoned). |
Recorded date of group failure, irrespective of the nature of this
failure (group split, group extinction or group
abandoned). |