title: Novel cause of tuberculosis in meerkats, South Africa.
abstract: The organism that causes tuberculosis in meerkats (Suricata suricatta) has been poorly characterized. Our genetic analysis showed it to be a novel member of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and closely related to the dassie bacillus. We have named this epidemiologically and genetically unique strain M. suricattae.
authors.forename: Sven D C
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Parsons
authors.forename: Julian A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Drewe
authors.forename: Nicolaas C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Gey van Pittius
authors.forename: Robin M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Warren
authors.forename: Paul D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: van Helden
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D008988:Herpestidae / Q000382:microbiology*; D058889:Molecular Typing; D009161:Mycobacterium / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D013019:South Africa; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000662:veterinary*
keywords: Mycobacterium suricattae; South Africa; meerkat; suricate; tuberculosis; tuberculosis and other mycobacteria