Open AccessPulmonary Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Beijing strain) infection in a stray dog : clinical communication
Author(s) -
Sven D.C. Parsons,
Tertius A. Gous,
Robert M. Warren,
Paul D. van Helden
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of the south african veterinary association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.535
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 2224-9435
pISSN - 1019-9128
DOI - 10.4102/jsava.v79i2.252
Subject(s) - tuberculosis , mycobacterium tuberculosis , maltese , medicine , pathogen , pulmonary tuberculosis , disease , virology , immunology , microbiology and biotechnology , pathology , biology , philosophy , linguistics
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.