Ocular manifestation of disseminated Mycobacterium simiae infection in a cat

Disseminated mycobacterial disease was diagnosed in an eight-year-old domestic shorthaired cat, with involvement of the skin, lungs, lymph nodes and one eye. Mycobacterium simiae was cultured from skin biopsies on solid agar and in liquid media. This organism is known to cause pulmonary, cutaneous or disseminated infection in human patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome but has never been encountered as a pathogen in companion animals. Combination treatment with rifampicin, enrofloxacin and clarithromycin resulted in complete clinical remission within six months, with no side effects. No recurrence was observed in a 22-month follow-up period.     

Infection of Eurasian badgers (Meles meles) with Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium complex in Spain

The prevalence, distribution and pathology related to infection with Mycobacterium bovis and other mycobacteria were determined in trapped (n=36) and road-killed (n=121) badgers in Spain from 2006 to 2010. The prevalence of M. bovis based on bacteriological culture from road-killed badgers was 8/121 (6.6%) and from trapped badgers was 0/36 (0%). Tuberculosis/M. bovis infection was evident in 15/121 (12.4%) road-killed badgers when bacteriology and histopathology were combined. Mycobacterium avium complex was isolated by culture from the tracheal aspirate of 1/36 (2.8%) trapped badgers and from tissue pools from 8/121 (6.6%) road-killed badgers.     

Tuberculosis in captive seals: bacteriological studies on an isolate belonging to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex

Culture of tuberculous lesions from six of 14 captive seals yielded an organism which, on the basis of biochemical and drug sensitivity tests, was identified as Mycobacterium bovis, although the organism showed a weak cording pattern and was glycerol tolerant. It was pathogenic in rabbits and guinea pigs and after passage the organism exhibited strong cord formation and was glycerol intolerant. Restriction endonuclease analysis and sodium dodecyl-sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated that the organism belonged to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. Restriction patterns indicated that infection in the six seals was from a single source. Western blotting with monoclonal antibody to M bovis identified antigens at 23 and 27 kDa in M bovis which were absent from the seal isolates.     

Infection with Aleutian disease virus-like virus in a captive striped skunk

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 5-month-old captive female striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) was evaluated because of lethargy, signs of depression, azotemia, and erythema of the skin around the eyes. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Antemortem diagnostic tests revealed renal disease but failed to identify an etiologic agent. A diagnosis of severe nonsuppurative interstitial nephritis was made on the basis of results of histologic examination of renal biopsy specimens. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: The skunk was administered isotonic fluids SC daily and later every other day because of the handling-related stress. Because of the skunk's deteriorating condition, it was euthanized after 24 days of supportive care. Aleutian disease was diagnosed on the basis of positive results of a PCR assay that targeted the DNA from Aleutian disease virus (ADV); positive results for ADV were also obtained by use of plasma counterimmunoelectrophoresis and an ELISA. Genetic sequencing of the 365-base pair PCR product revealed 90% sequence identity with mink ADV. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In the skunk of this report, infection with a skunk-specific parvovirus resulted in clinical signs and pathologic changes similar to those associated with ADV infection in mink. For skunks with signs of renal failure, differential diagnoses should include parvovirus infection. In confirmed cases of infection with this ADV-like virus, appropriate quarantine and biosecurity measures should be in place to prevent spread to other susceptible animals within a zoological collection.     

A case of intestinal Mycobacterium simiae infection in an SIV-infected immunosuppressed rhesus monkey.

Although Mycobacterium simiae was identified and classified more than three decades ago, only a few cases are mentioned in the current literature. After experimental simian immunodeficiency virus infection, a 9-year-old female rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) developed progressive immunosuppression and gastrointestinal disease very similar to the clinical and pathomorphologic features of Johne's disease, which is caused by M. paratuberculosis. Acid-fast-positive bacteria reacted immunohistochemically with antibodies against M. paratuberculosis and M. bovis but were not useful for differentiation because of a high degree of cross-reactivity. In contrast to immunohistochemistry and histopathology, biochemical methods and cycle sequencing analysis of the 16S ribosomal RNA identified M. simiae as the disease-causing pathogen. This case demonstrates the importance of molecular biological methods for the diagnosis of M. simiae infection in monkeys.     

Molecular epidemiology of Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare in captive birds

Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare are primary causes of mycobacteriosis in captive birds throughout the world, but little is known about how they are transmitted. To define the local epidemiology of infection, we strain-typed 70 M. avium subsp. avium and 15 M. intracellulare culture isolates obtained over a 4-year period from captive birds. Typing was performed using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) PCR, amplified fragment length polymorphic (AFLP) fragment analyses, and for a subset of isolates, DNA sequencing of a segment of the 16S-23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer region. Six strain clusters comprising 43 M. avium subsp. avium, isolates were identified; 42 isolates had unique typing patterns, including all M. intracellulare isolates. Phylo-geographical analyses using RAPD and AFLP fingerprints and animal confinement histories showed no correlation between housing of infected birds and mycobacterial strain-type, except for two animals. The diversity of M. avium subsp. avium and M. intracellulare isolates and minimal evidence for bird-to-bird transmission suggest that environmental reservoirs may be important sources of infection in captivity.     

Localised Mycobacterium ulcerans infection in four dogs

Localised infection caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans is described in two Kelpies, a Whippet and a Koolie domiciled on the Bellarine Peninsula, Victoria, Australia. The diagnosis was confirmed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the M. ulcerans-specific insertion sequence (IS2404) in DNA extracted from swabs of ulcerated lesions in all cases. Where available, molecular typing confirmed that three of the dogs were infected with a strain of M. ulcerans that was indistinguishable from a disease-causing strain in people and other animals in Victoria. One dog was still undergoing treatment at the time of writing, but the remaining three dogs were successfully treated with a combination of surgical debridement and medical therapy in one case, and medical therapy alone in the other two. Investigation of the home environs of three of the dogs using real-time PCR revealed low amounts of M. ulcerans DNA in various environmental samples. Mycobacterium ulcerans infection should be included in the differential diagnoses of any ulcerated skin lesions in dogs that live in or visit endemic areas of Victoria and Queensland.     

Mycobacterium bovis infection in a captive herd of Sika deer.

Infection with Mycobacterium bovis was diagnosed in a small privately owned herd of Sika deer. After postmortem examination of a deer with progressive pulmonary disease, diagnosis of infection with M bovis was confirmed by bacteriologic culture. The 2 remaining deer in this herd were euthanatized, necropsied, and confirmed to be infected with M bovis. Three cats in contact with the deer were also euthanatized and necropsied. One of these cats had lesions suggestive of mycobacterial infection in the colon and mesenteric lymph nodes. Infection of this cat with M bovis was not confirmed by bacterial culture. Mycobacteriosis, infrequently encountered in clinical veterinary practice, may be confused with disease caused by other infective agents or neoplasia. The zoonotic potential of these bacteria and a recent increase in human tuberculosis warrants continued surveillance of companion and food animal populations for mycobacterial infection.     

γ干扰素在非结核分支杆菌感染中的作用研究进展

非结核分支杆菌是指除结核分支杆菌复合群与麻风分支杆菌以外的其他分支杆菌。非结核分支杆菌广泛分布在土壤、水和自然环境中,研究人员发现非结核分支杆菌能够严重危害人类的健康。IFN-γ是一种具有免疫调节、抗肿瘤等作用的细胞因子,在非结核分支杆菌感染过程中起着重要的作用。论文就IFN-γ在非结核分支杆菌感染中起到的作用做一综述。     

Cutaneous Mycobacterium avium Infection in a Cat

Abstract— A 6-year-old spayed female domestic shorthair cat with a paranasal cutaneous mass caused by Mycobacterium avium is reported. Recurrence after cryosurgery and nonresponsiveness to dapsone necessitated surgical removal. The cat remained clinically normal for 14 months when the occurrence of multiple facial nodules with acid-fast bacilli present caused the owner to elect euthanasia. Résumé— Le cas d'une chatte européenne castrée de six ans présentant une masse périnasale due àMycobacterium avium est rapporté. La rechute après cryochirurgie et l'absence de réponse à la dapsone a nécessité une ablation chirurgicale. Le chat est resté apparemment sain 14 mois après l'opération, jusqu'à l'appartion de nodules multiples sur la face avec des baciles acid-alcolorésistants. L'animal a été euthanasié. Zusammenfassung— Beschrieben wird eine kurzhaarige Hauskatze, sechs Jahre alt, weiblich, kastriert, mit einer paranasalen kutanen Zubildung, die durch Mycobacterium avium verursacht wurde. Eine Wiederauftreten nach Kryochirurgie und ein Nichtansprechen auf Dapson zwang zu einer chirurgischen Entfernung. Die Katze blieb 14 Monate lang klinisch gesund bis das Auftreten von multiplen fazialen Knoten mit histologisch nachweisbaren säurefesten Bazillen dazu führte, daß der Besitzer sich für die Euthanasié des Tieres entschied. Resumen En este artículo se estudia una gata castrada de seis años de raza moméstica de pelo corto, con una masa cutánea paranasal causada por el Mycobacterium avium. La masa fue removida quirürgicamente después del tratamiento con dapsone y la aplicación de criocirugía con la consiguiente reaparición de la misma. Por un periodo de 14 meses la gata permaneció clínicamente normal, pero después el animal desarrolló nódulos faciales multiples con la aparición de bacilos que podian ser teñidos con tinturas ácidas, ante lo cual el dueño decidió terminar con la vida del animal.     

Antebrachial fractures in four captive polar bears (Ursus maritimus)

OBJECTIVE: To identify common risk factors for antebrachial fractures of captive polar bears and to evaluate outcome after fracture repair. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: Four captive polar bears. METHODS: United States zoological collections were surveyed to determine the prevalence of fractures in captive polar bears. Medical records of captive polar bears that had antebrachial fractures were reviewed for signalment, history, physical and radiographic findings, fracture management, postoperative care, and outcome. Serum samples from healthy bears and bears with antebrachial fractures were assayed for 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) concentrations. RESULTS: Nineteen fractures (12 polar bears) occurred from 1974 to 2002; 12 fractures involved the antebrachium. Management of 4 antebrachial fractures was reviewed; 3 were repaired by internal fixation and 1 by external coaptation. Fractures healed and bears were returned to exhibit on average 3 months postfracture. Of 11 serum samples assayed for 25-OHD concentrations, 6 were below normal, 1 was low normal and 4 were within normal reference intervals. The 7 bears with subnormal or low normal values were housed in 2 zoos. Subnormal vitamin D concentrations were identified in 2 of 3 bears with fractures. CONCLUSIONS: Fracture disease is not uncommon in captive polar bears. Additional research is necessary to explore the role of nutrition in polar bear fracture disease. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Internal fixation of antebrachial fractures is feasible and reasonably well tolerated in captive polar bears.     

Disseminated Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection in a Persian cat

This report describes a disseminated infection with mycobacteria of the avium/intracellulare complex in a Persian cat in the absence of cutaneous lesions. Postmortem examination revealed severe granulomatous inflammation with numerous intrahistiocytic acid-fast bacilli in multiple organs. A gastrointestinal port of entry seems likely, as the ileocaecal lymph node was most severely affected.     

Spontaneous neoplasia in four captive greater hedgehog tenrecs (Setifer setosus)

Little information is available about diseases and pathology of species within the family Tenrecidae, including the greater hedgehog tenrec (Setifer setosus), a Madagascan insectivore. This report summarizes necropsy and histopathologic findings of neoplasia in four captive greater hedgehog tenrecs. Although only four animals are included in this report, neoplasia seems to be a common and significant source of morbidity and mortality in greater hedgehog tenrecs. Types of neoplasia identified include a thyroid follicular-solid carcinoma, two urinary bladder transitional cell carcinomas, uterine endometrial polyps, and multicentric B-cell lymphoma. Due to small sample size, no etiology could be determined, but genetics, viral infection, pesticide treatment, nutrition, or other environmental factors might contribute to the development of neoplasia in this species. This is the first report of neoplasia in greater hedgehog tenrecs.     

Outbreak of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection among captive Asian elephants in a Swedish zoo

Between 2001 and 2003, there was an outbreak of tuberculosis in a Swedish zoo which involved elephants, giraffes, rhinoceroses and buffaloes. Cultures of trunk lavages were used to detect infected elephants, tuberculin testing was used in the giraffes and buffaloes, and tracheal lavage and tuberculin testing were used in the rhinoceroses. The bacteria isolated were investigated by spoligotyping and restriction fragment length polymorphism. Five elephants and one giraffe were found to have been infected by four different strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.     

Corticosteroid-induced suppression of in vitro lymphocyte proliferation in four captive rhinoceros species.

Captive African black rhinoceroses (Diceros bicornis) are unusually susceptible to several diseases not commonly observed in any of the other three rhinoceros species maintained in captivity. The potential role of corticosteroids (either endogenously produced or exogenously administered) in the development of these sometimes fatal diseases has been questioned. In this study, the suppressive effects of two therapeutic corticosteroids (dexamethasone and hydrocortisone) on in vitro lymphocyte proliferation was examined in four rhinoceros species, including the Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis, n = 3), Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis, n = 4), African black rhinoceros (n = 10), and African white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum, n = 5). Three blood samples collected from each rhinoceros 1 mo to 1 yr apart provided replicates for the study. Both dexamethasone and hydrocortisone suppressed (P < 0.05) lymphocyte proliferation stimulated by B-cell mitogens (pokeweed and lipopolysaccharide) and T-cell mitogens (phytohemagglutinin and concanavalin A). Suppressive effects of the glucocorticoids differed (P < 0.05) depending on the mitogen used to stimulate the lymphocytes. Overall, dexamethasone was a more potent suppressor of cell proliferation when compared with hydrocortisone (P < 0.05). However, black rhinoceros cell proliferation in response to any of the four mitogens was never completely suppressed, even in cultures containing the highest steroid concentration tested (10(-3) M). The effect of the two corticosteroids differed slightly among the rhinoceros species and subspecies tested, but there was no evidence that eastern or southern black rhinoceros lymphocytes were more sensitive to the suppressive effects of corticosteroids than the other rhinoceros species.