Mycobacterium fortuitum abortion in a sow

Two aborted Chester White pig fetuses were presented to a veterinary diagnostic laboratory in Illinois. Postmortem examination identified no gross abnormalities. Histologic evaluation revealed multifocal necrosis of chorionic epithelial cells, coalescing areas of mineralization in the placenta, and focal accumulations of viable and degenerate neutrophils in the lung. Intra- and extracellular acid-fast bacilli were identified in the lesions in both the placenta and lungs. Bacterial culture of stomach contents yielded heavy growth of Mycobacterium fortuitum, a rapidly growing nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM), which was further confirmed through whole-genome sequencing. NTM are opportunistic pathogens commonly found in the soil and in contaminated water supplies. In animals, M. fortuitum is typically introduced through cutaneous wounds leading to infections limited to the skin, with systemic infection being uncommon. To our knowledge, abortion caused by M. fortuitum has not been reported previously.     

Staphylococcus hyicus abortion in a sow

Five aborted fetuses from a mature sixth-parity sow with severe greasy pig disease as a gilt, were submitted for diagnostic evaluation. Necropsy of the fetuses revealed serogelatinous edema in the SC connective tissue of the ventral abdominal region (especially around the umbilicus), exaggerated amounts of serohemorrhagic fluid in the abdominal, pleural, and pericardial cavities, and hemorrhagic kidneys, with diminished consistency. Staphylococcus hyicus was isolated in pure culture from liver, lung, kidney, and brain tissues and from abdominal, pleural, pericardial, and gastric fluids.     

MIRU-VNTR typing of Mycobacterium avium in animals and humans: heterogeneity of Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis versus homogeneity of Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium strains

Epidemiological studies on Mycobacterium avium are requisite for revealing infection sources and disease transmission. They are based upon genotyping methods like RFLP and MIRU–VNTR. In our study, MIRU–VNTR typing was applied to 121 previously RFLP typed M. avium field isolates to compare the discriminatory power of both methods. The applicability of MIRU–VNTR typing was studied for isolates from a limited geographic area, namely 41 M. avium subsp. avium and 80 M. avium subsp. hominissuis isolates. Among the former, exhibiting 12 IS901 RFLP types, five MIRU–VNTR types were found with discriminatory index (DI) of 0.716. Among the latter, exhibiting 56 IS1245 RFLP types, 18 MIRU–VNTR types were found with DI of 0.866. Concomitant use of both methods increased DI to 0.981 and 0.995, respectively. MIRU–VNTR typing employing the selected markers provided discernible discrimination among M. avium subsp. hominissuis isolates, but more discriminative markers are needed for M. avium subsp. avium isolates.     

Brucella abortus associated with abortion in a sow

Extract

The present owner of the farm on which this case occurred took it over in May, 1957. He bought in 12 heifers in May, 1958. which had not been vaccinated against Brucella abortus. During May to July, 1958, three of his cows (presumably vaccinated as calves) and one of these heifers aborted. In two of these cases (one cow and one of the heifers), the cause was determined to be B. abortus. Five maiden Large White sows were bought during April and May. Although pigs and cows were run in separate paddocks, the cows occasionally passed along a race to which the sows had access. One of these, the sow “Bess”, was clue to farrow on 20 August, but was observed to be aborting on 6 August.     

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.     

Different immune response of pigs to Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium and Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis infection

Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium (MAA) and Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis (MAH) are the most common mycobacterial species isolated from granulomatous lesions in swine in countries with controlled bovine tuberculosis. This study is focused on the immunological aspect of MAA and MAH infection in pigs. We detected induction of humoral and cell-mediated immunity in experimentally infected pigs. Specific antibodies were analyzed in serum by ELISA and the IFN-γ release assay was used for evaluation of cell-mediated immunity. While MAA induced a significant increase of both types of immune responses, MAH-infected pigs had an unvarying level of specific antibodies and showed low cell-mediated immunity with high individual variability. The subsequent in vitro experiment confirmed the lower immunogenicity of the MAH strain in comparison to MAA. MAH-infected porcine monocyte-derived macrophages showed a weaker induction of pro-inflammatory mediators in comparison to MAA, which included mRNA for IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-23p19, IL-18 and chemokines CCL-3, CCL-5, CXCL-8 and CXCL-10. Additionally, qualitative proteomic analysis revealed 28 proteins exclusively in MAA and 7 proteins unique to MAH. In conclusion, closely related M. avium subspecies MAA and MAH showed different capacities to stimulate the porcine immune system. From a diagnostic point of view, the IFN-γ release assay showed higher sensitivity than the detection of specific antibodies by ELISA and seems to be an effective tool for discrimination of MAA-infected pigs. In the case of MAH infection, the IFN-γ release assay could fail because of the low immunogenic capacity of the MAH strain.     

Mycobacterium avium infection in a dog

A 5-year old, spayed, mongrel was presented with intractable diarrhoea. Histopathologic examination of biopsy specimens taken during exploratory laparotomy revealed acid-fast organisms in the spleen, caecum, and colon. The dog was subsequently destroyed. At post-mortem, lesions were also observed in the liver and lymph nodes. Mycobacterium avium was cultured from splenic tissue. Infection of dogs with this organism is rare and the clinical picture described unusual.     

Disseminated Mycobacterium avium infection in a cat

A domestic shorthair cat was presented for lethargy and ataxia. Clinical findings included an abdominal mass, lumbosacral pain, ataxia. Aspirates from the liver and lymph nodes revealed intracellular, negative-staining rods. Treatment for presumptive mycobacterium infection was unsuccessful and the cat was euthanized. Disseminated Mycobacterium avium was confirmed on culture.     

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.     

Cell-mediated immune response in swine infected with Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium

The zoonotic characteristic of Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium (MAA) represents a veterinary and economic problem in infected pigs. In this study, we analysed cell-mediated immunity six months after experimental infection by measuring interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production and by performing lymphocyte transformation tests after in vitro re-stimulation with the MAA-derived antigen. At the same time, IFN-γ-producing cells were characterised by flow cytometry. In MAA-infected animals, the production of IFN-γ increased in response to the MAA antigen in the blood, spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes. Similarly, a positive antigen-driven response was detected by the proliferation assay. In contrast, IFN-γ production and proliferation was undetectable after stimulation with the MAA antigen in uninfected control animals. These results indicate that both methods can be used for the identification of individual MAA-infected pigs. Using flow cytometry, we found that double-positive CD4(+)CD8(+) lymphocytes were the major T lymphocyte subset producing IFN-γ after in vitro re-stimulation.     

The GroES antigens of Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium paratuberculosis.

The GroES antigen provokes a strong immune response in human beings with tuberculosis or leprosy. We cloned and sequenced the Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium paratuberculosis GroES genes. M. avium and M. paratuberculosis have identical GroES sequences which differ from other mycobacterial species. This supports the current formal designation of M. paratuberculosis as M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis. Immunodominant epitopes from Mycobacterium tuberculosis GroES are conserved in M. avium, but some Mycobacterium leprae epitopes are distinct. GroES is unlikely to be specific as a serologic or skin test reagent, but may be an appropriate component of a broad mycobacterial vaccine.     

Disseminated Mycobacterium avium subspecies infection in a cat

An 18-month-old neutered male domestic shorthair cat, domiciled in the southwest of France, was first presented having suffered for a few days from dysorexia and vomiting. Abdominal palpation revealed lymph node enlargement. Cytological examinations of a fine needle aspirate demonstrated granulomatous inflammation with many non-staining elements consistent with mycobacteria. Diagnosis was confirmed by culture and polymerase chain reaction and Mycobacterium avium subspecies was isolated. Treatment was initiated with marbofloxacin, rifampicin and cefoxitin. There was a rapid clinical improvement. The cat suddenly died 2 months later. The main hypothesis is the administration of an inappropriate combination therapy that leads to the development of mycobacterial resistance. A volvulus and acute peritonitis secondary to the significant enlargement of a mesenteric lymph node were present at necropsy. Histopathological analysis of mesenteric lymph node, liver and spleen revealed multicentric granulomatous and severely necrotic lesions with numerous Ziehl-Neelsen positive intracytoplasmic elements.     

Mycobacterium avium infection in a farmed deer herd

Tuberculous lesions were identified over a 2-year period in 36 clinically normal red deer from a single herd. The lesions were only present in the retropharyngeal lymph nodes and lymph nodes draining the intestinal tract, indicating infection by the oral route. Mycobacterium avium was isolated from 27 of 29 lesions examined by bacterial culture. Grossly and histologically, the lesions were indistinguishable from those caused by Mycobacterium bovis. DNA restriction endonuclease analysis revealed that all the 26 M. avium isolates available for examination had identical cleavage patterns. These patterns were identical to a New Zealand M. avium serotype 2 isolate from a pig and were very similar to a reference strain of M. avium serotype 2. The DNA examinations indicated that the deer were infected from a common source that was not identified.     

Disseminated Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium infection in a pet Korean squirrel (Sciuris vulgaris coreae)

A disseminated Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium infection was diagnosed in a pet Korean squirrel. Grossly, multiple small nodules in the lung, liver, spleen, and skin were observed. Adrenal glands were very enlarged. The only tissue exhibiting necrosis and calcification was a very enlarged bronchial lymph node. The remaining lymph nodes were slightly enlarged. Moderate ascites was also observed. Microscopically, a disseminated granulomatous inflammation with numerous lymphocytes was seen. Acid-fast bacilli were detected in macrophages, in giant cells, free in the interstitium, and in some lymphatic vessels, both within cells and free in the lumen. M. avium subsp. avium was isolated and identified by polymerase chain reaction-restriction endonuclease analysis.     

Disseminated Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium infection in a Captive Richardson's Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus richardsonii)

Although mycobacteria have been isolated from rodents, overt mycobacteriosis is rare in any rodent species. A pet adult male Richardson's ground squirrel (Spermophilus richardsonii) died after a short course of alopecia, anorexia, and weight loss. Necropsy and subsequent histopathological examination of tissue samples revealed disseminated granulomatous inflammation involving the lungs, lymph nodes, liver, intestine, adrenal gland, spleen, pleura, and peritoneum. Ziehl-Neelsen stain revealed high numbers of acid-fast bacilli within the cytoplasm of macrophages and multinucleated giant cells. Polymerase chain reaction performed on paraffin-embedded tissues was positive for Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium and negative for M. bovis-tuberculosis complex. Three females housed with this squirrel remained clinically healthy, and mycobacterial cultures of pooled feces from these animals were negative. To the authors' knowledge, this is the second report of disseminated mycobacteriosis in squirrels involving M. avium subsp. avium, with both cases described recently in the Iberian Peninsula.     

Outbreak of Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium infection in one flock of domestic pigeons

An outbreak of Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium infection was diagnosed in one breed of domestic pigeons (Columba livia f. domestica) in the Czech Republic. Nodular granulomatous lesions were found in 42 (9.7%) pigeons of the 435 examined; histopathologic examination of livers with gross lesions of mycobacteriosis from 15 randomly selected pigeons revealed granulomatous inflammation typical for avian mycobacteriosis in all samples. Direct Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) microscopy and conventional culture were performed for a total of 117 liver samples (42 pigeons with nodular lesions, 55 randomly selected pigeons without nodular lesions, and 20 randomly selected squabs). Acid-fast bacilli were observed in 19 (16.2%), and conventional culture yielded growth of M. a. avium in 40 (34.2%) liver samples. A triplex quantitative real-time PCR assay based on the IS901 detection system was performed successfully in 115 liver samples and revealed M. a. avium in 63 (54.8%) of them. Mycobacterium a. avium was also detected in two squabs. Eight domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus f. domestica) living in the breeding facility were also examined. Pyogranulomatous lesions were only found in one adult male rabbit. At necropsy, both direct ZN microscopy and culture gave negative results for mycobacteria in all examined rabbit tissues. Mycobacterium a. avium was diagnosed in a liver sample of one juvenile rabbit using triplex qPCR, suggesting that M. a. avium infection can occur as early as juvenile animals.