'Emerging' mycobacteria in South Africa
Date
2009
Authors
Van Helden P.D.
Parsons S.D.C.
Gey Van Pittius N.C.
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Abstract
Disease can be caused by various species of the genus Mycobacterium. A number of reports, both published and unpublished, of rarely reported mycobacteria have surfaced in South Africa in the last few years. Some unusual hosts have also been involved, causing concern in some quarters.These include reports on Mycobacterium goodii in a spotted hyaena (Crocuta crocuta), M. xenopi in a ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata), M. intracellulare in wild-caught chacma baboons (Papio ursinus), the 'dassie bacillus' in free ranging rock hyrax (dassies; Procavia capensis) the 'oryx bacillus' from free-ranging buffalo (Syncerus caffer) and M. tuberculosis in suricates (Suricata suricatta), a domestic dog and in baboons. In this article it has been attempted to put these in context and show how improved surveillance and technologies have allowed mycobacteria to be identified to species level more easily. Most of the unusual mycobacterial species have most likely been present in the region for many years and have probably caused disease episodes before, but have been misdiagnosed. Each case must be evaluated carefully with respect to the animal species involved, the environment in which the host is found and the mycobacterial species, and operational decisions made accordingly.
Description
Keywords
animal, animal disease, baboon, hyaena, mycobacteriosis, Mycobacterium, Mycobacterium goodii, Mycobacterium intracellulare, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium xenopei, prosimian, review, South Africa, suricate, communicable disease, differential diagnosis, domestic animal, heterozygote, isolation and purification, microbiology, pathogenicity, sentinel surveillance, species difference, wild animal, Animalia, Canis familiaris, Corynebacterineae, Crocuta crocuta, Hyaena, Mycobacterium, Mycobacterium goodii, Mycobacterium intracellulare, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium xenopi, Oryx, Papio, Papio ursinus, Procavia capensis, Procaviidae, Suricata suricatta, Syncerus caffer, Varecia variegata, Animals, Animals, Domestic, Animals, Wild, Carrier State, Communicable Diseases, Emerging, Diagnosis, Differential, Mycobacterium, Mycobacterium Infections, Sentinel Surveillance, South Africa, Species Specificity
Citation
Journal of the South African Veterinary Association
80
4
80
4