State agricultural officials are awaiting the test results of a Douglas County rodeo bull suspected of having bovine tuberculosis.

If it tests positive, it may result in Colorado losing its TB-free accreditation, since three bulls from a Larimer County herd already have tested positive for the disease this year.

"It would be an important finding," said Keith Roehr, assistant state veterinarian of the results from the Douglas County bull. "Our desire is that it would be negative."

Under federal guidelines, a state can lose its TB-free accreditation if livestock from two different herds have been infected. Colorado has been a TB-free accredited state since 1975.

"It has to be two different herds, with two different sources of infection," said Roehr.

Bovine tuberculosis is spread by respiratory aerosols being exhaled or coughed out by infected animals and can be transmitted to humans. Once infected, animals develop lesions in the thoracic and abdominal cavity.

Results of the necropsy on the Douglas County bull are expected next week.