Pyogranuloma caused by Mycobacterium asiaticum infection in a steer.
In 2003, a steer carcass was condemned at a Central Queensland abattoir because of metastatic tumors. In addition, a granulomatous lesion was found in the mediastinal lymph node. Histological examination showed this to be a pyogranuloma, typically associated with Rhodococcus or the Nocardia/Streptomyces group. However, in this case, the only etiological agent was an acid-fast bacillus, which would normally be associated with a more fibrous lesion. A number of nucleic acid-based techniques were used, and the isolate was identified as Mycobacterium asiaticum. This organism is a rarely encountered opportunistic pathogen of humans, associated with subtropical climates. This is the first report of this organism causing infection in cattle. The similarities between this case and cases of human disease are discussed.
Oakey
Jane
J
Oonoonba Veterinary Laboratory, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Biosecurity North Region, PO Box 1085, Townsville, Queensland 4810, Australia.
Forbes-Faulkner
Judy
J
Gilpin
Christopher
C
Murdoch
Bronwyn
B
Johnson
Steven
S
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D016384:Consensus Sequence; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D006099:Granuloma / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008482:Mediastinum; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009161:Mycobacterium / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009164:Mycobacterium Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D015183:Restriction Mapping / Q000662:veterinary
D004269:DNA, Bacterial