Abstract
Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in dogs is rarely reported and has not previously been documented in South Africa. A case of a stray Maltese crossbreed dog with extensive multifocal pulmonary tuberculosis due to M. tuberculosis is described. Pulmonary granulomas in this case were poorly encapsulated and contained large numbers of acid-fast bacteria, highlighting the potential for infected companion animals to excrete the pathogen. Treatment of canine tuberculosis is generally not advised, and for this reason, euthanasia of diseased animals must be advocated in most instances. Physicians and veterinarians must be aware that companion animals with active disease caused by M. tuberculosis could act as a potential source of infection.
Highlights
Mycobacterium tuberculosis is one of a number of closely related intracellular bacterial pathogens, grouped together as the M. tuberculosis complex (MTC) which cause granulomatous disease in a broad range of host species. It is the principal cause of human tuberculosis and the extraordinary success of this pathogen is reflected by its distribution
A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test performed on heat-killed culture lysates, as previously described[23], identified the bacteria as M. tuberculosis
This isolate was shown to belong to the Beijing strain of M. tuberculosis by the IS6110 restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) genotyping technique, as previously described[18] (Fig. 3)
Summary
Mycobacterium tuberculosis is one of a number of closely related intracellular bacterial pathogens, grouped together as the M. tuberculosis complex (MTC) which cause granulomatous disease in a broad range of host species. The remainder of the lungs showed moderate numbers of small multifocal to confluent granulomas consisting of macrophages, as well as widespread alveolar and interstitial infiltration of numerous macrophages, lymphocytes and plasma cells, with moderate fibrinous oedema. The area of necrosis was surrounded by large numbers of macrophages and epithelioid cells, moderate numbers of lymphocytes and plasma cells, low numbers of fibroblasts, and scanty Langhans’ multinucleated giant cells. A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test performed on heat-killed culture lysates, as previously described[23], identified the bacteria as M. tuberculosis. This isolate was shown to belong to the Beijing strain of M. tuberculosis by the IS6110 restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) genotyping technique, as previously described[18] (Fig. 3)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Journal of the South African Veterinary Association
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
