Canine Leproid Granuloma (CLG) Caused by Mycobacterial Species Closely Related to Members of Mycobacterium Simiae Complex in a Dog in Brazil.

This report describes the clinical features and molecular diagnosis of a case of canine leproid granuloma (CLG) caused by mycobacterial strains of the Mycobacterium simiae complex in Brazil. A 12-year-old non-neutered male Labrador Retriever dog was presented with a 2-week history of progressive painless cutaneous lesions. Ulcerated nodules with hematic crusts were observed on the dorsal surface of the right and left pinna and on the metacarpal, metatarsal, and digits. Complete blood count, serum biochemistry, aspiration cytology of cutaneous lesions, biopsy for histopathological evaluation, culture for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing to identify mycobacterial species were performed. According to the clinical and histopathological findings, a diagnosis of CLG was established. Despite the negative result of the bacterial culture, mycobacterial identification was made by sequencing the hsp65 gene. Our findings highlight that mycobacterial species closely related to members of the M simiae clade can be causative agents of CLG.

Mycobacteria in Minas cheese commercialized in open fairs in São Paulo, Brazil / Mycobacteria em queijos tipo Minas comercializados em feiras-livres de São Paulo, Brasil

Mycobacterium bovis is the causative agent of bovine tuberculosis, a disease that affects dairy herds throughout the Brazilian territory, constituting a neglected zoonosis transmitted by raw milk and its derivatives. In this study, we evaluated the presence of M. bovis and other mycobacteria in Minas cheese obtained from open fairs in the city of São Paulo between 2012 and 2013. Samples (n = 133) were decontaminated using hexa-cetylpyridinium chloride and seeded on Stonebrink­Leslie medium. The isolates were submitted to molecular identification by TB Multiplex PCR targeting the 16S rRNA gene and amplicon nucleotide sequencing. From 16 cheese samples (12%), we obtained 26 putative colonies of Mycobacterium spp, none of which belonged to any of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium avium, or Mycobacterium intracellulare complexes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that sample sequences were grouped in a clade that includes only non-tuberculous mycobacteria with proximity to sequences obtained from Mycobacterium novocastrense (3 sequences), Mycobacterium holsaticum (1 sequence), and Mycobacterium elephantis (2 sequences). Although no epidemiological evidence was found regarding the importance of oral transmission of mycobacteria in healthy people, their importance in the immunosuppressed population remains uncertain.(AU)

Mycobacterium bovis é o agente da tuberculose bovina, doença que acomete o rebanho em todo território brasileiro e é uma negligenciada zoonose transmitida pelo leite e seus derivados. Este trabalho avaliou a presença de M. bovise outras micobactérias, em queijo minas meia-cura, obtidos em feiras-livres na cidade de São Paulo, entre os anos de 2012 e 2013. As amostras (n = 133) foram descontaminadas pelo método HPC (hexa-cetyl-pyridinium chloride) e semeadas em meio Stonebrink Leslie. Os isolados foram submetidos à identificação molecular por PCR TB multiplex, pesquisando-se o gene 16S rRNA, e ao sequenciamento nucleotídico. Dezesseis amostras (12%) possuiam 26 colônias sugestivas de Mycobacterium spp, mas nenhuma delas pertencia aos complexos Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium avium e Mycobacterium intracellulare. A análise filogenética mostrou que todas as amostras estavam agrupadas em clados que incluem apenas micobactérias não tuberculosas (MNT), sendo que algumas possuiam proximidade com sequências obtidas de Mycobacterium novocastrense (3 sequências), Mycobacterium hosaticum(1 sequência) e Mycobacterium elephantis (2 sequências). Embora no momento não haja evidência epidemiológica da importância da transmissão oral das micobactérias pra indivíduos saudáveis, sua importância na população imunossuprimida ainda é incerta.(AU)

Tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis infection in a captive-bred American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeiana).

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis is widely known as a progressive disease that affects endothermic animals, leading to death and/or economical losses, while mycobacterial infections in amphibians are commonly due to nontuberculous mycobacteria. To the authors' knowledge, this report describes the first case of bovine tuberculosis in a poikilothermic animal. CASE PRESENTATION: An adult female captive American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus Shaw, 1802) died in a Brazilian aquarium. Multiple granulomas with acid-fast bacilli were observed in several organs. Identification of Mycobacterium bovis was accomplished by culture and PCR methods. The other animals from the same enclosure were euthanized, but no evidence of mycobacterial infection was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The American bullfrog was introduced in several countries around the world as an alternative husbandry, and its production is purposed for zoological and aquarium collections, biomedical research, education, human consumption and pet market. The present report warns about an episode of bovine tuberculosis in an amphibian, therefore further studies are necessary to define this frog species' role in the epidemiology of M. bovis.

Cutaneous mycobacteriosis in a captive Amazonian manatee Trichechus inunguis.

An adult male Amazonian manatee Trichechus inunguis under human care presented with 3 circular cutaneous lesions on the dorsal aspect of the rostrum and between the nostrils (plenum). Initially these lesions were superficial, hypopigmented, without warmth and non-painful. Microbiological cultures of skin swabs isolated Candida sp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and topical treatment with antiseptic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antibiotic medication was instituted. This treatment strategy did not lead to any clinical improvement, and after 6 mo, the lesions progressed to a confluent abscess (5.0 × 3.0 cm) with increased temperature and obvious discomfort on palpation. An impression smear of a cutaneous biopsy was submitted for Ziehl-Neelsen staining and after detection of acid-fast bacilli, the cutaneous biopsy and a swab from the lesion were sent for histopathology, culture and sensitivity testing. After 5 d of incubation and through PCR-restriction analysis of the isolates, Mycobacterium fortuitum and M. abscessus were identified. Sensitivity testing indicated that the isolates were susceptible to ciprofloxacin and clarithromycin, and after draining of the lesion and administration of systemic antibiotic treatment, there was rapid clinical improvement. This report describes non-healing lesions in an aquatic animal and illustrates the importance of evaluating the presence of non-tuberculous mycobacteria, opportunistic pathogens which are ubiquitous in the aquatic environment, in protracted, non-responsive cases. We also highlight the importance of a correct diagnosis and treatment approach, and we review concerns that these bacteria are zoonotic agents and are frequently resistant to conventional antibiotics.

Serosurvey for selected viral infections in free-ranging jaguars (Panthera onca) and domestic carnivores in Brazilian Cerrado, Pantanal, and Amazon.

We investigated the exposure of jaguar (Panthera onca) populations and domestic carnivores to selected viral infections in the Cerrado, Amazon, and Pantanal biomes of Brazil. Between February 2000 and January 2010, we collected serum samples from 31 jaguars, 174 dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), and 35 domestic cats (Felis catus). Serologic analyses for antibodies to rabies virus, canine distemper virus (CDV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), and for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) antigen were conducted. The jaguars from Cerrado and Pantantal were exposed to rabies virus, while the jaguars from the Pantanal and the dogs from all three areas were exposed to CDV. Two cats from the Amazonian site were antigen-positive for FeLV, but no jaguars had FeLV antigen or FIV antibody. Canine distemper and rabies viruses should be carefully monitored and considered potential threats to these jaguar populations. Currently FIV and FeLV do not appear to represent a health threat for jaguar populations in this area. Domestic dogs and cats in these areas should be vaccinated, and the movement of domestic animals around protected areas should be restricted.