Tuberculosis: An Overview in Animals

Tuberculosis is an infectious zoonotic disease caused by certain organisms belonging to genus Mycobacterium. Mycobacterium are rod-shaped, acid-fast bacteria. <em>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</em> complex is common in human and mammalian tuberculosis and <em>Mycobacterium avium</em> is prevalent in avian tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is commonly defined as a chronic, debilitating disease but sometimes, it occasionally assumes an acute and progressive course. This disease affects many vertebrate hosts. There is a widespread occurrence of multidrug resistant strains of <em>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</em> which is a concern to veterinarians and also to public health officials.