Companion animal tuberculosis : clinical presentations, outbreak investigations, improved diagnostics and the early macrophage response

Tuberculosis caused by the Mycobacterium (M.) tuberculosis-complex (MTBC) of organisms remains one of the most prevalent and deadly infectious diseases of man and other animals. The mycobacteria responsible are a highly conserved group of pleomorphic acid-fast bacilli which cause chronic granulomatous infections. Tuberculous infections in humans and cattle often remain latent for prolonged periods of time before progressing to disease that has severe, negative consequences for the health and welfare of the infected host. Some of the organisms within the MTBC are highly specialised and limited to just a single or small number of host species whereas others, such as M. bovis, can infect a broad range of mammals including humans. Companion animals are susceptible to MTBC infections and understanding of the significance and frequency of these infections has grown in recent years. Cats and dogs share unrivalled proximity to their owners and therefore pose a small but real risk for the zoonotic transmission of tuberculous infections. Despite the high frequency of mycobacterial infections observed in companion animals, diagnostic tests to identify the commonly encountered mycobacterial species are lacking. The first ... (continues)