PCR for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in experimentally infected dogs

The susceptibility of dogs to infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis was studied through different ways of experimental infection. The examination shows, that in most cases the disease runs subclinically with pathological changes localized mainly in the lungs, lymph nodes, small intestines, liver, kidneys and spleen. Histological findings demonstrate granulomatous inflammation with caseosation and predominance of epitheloide macrophages and single lymphocytes. Tissue samples from internal organs of experimentally infected dogs as well as non-infected but contact animals were investigated by direct PCR. Specific PCR-products were obtained in 44 of 96 studied samples. Eighty-three (86.5%) of PCR results coincided with bacteriological finds, 82 (85.4%) with the pathological and 71 (74.0%) simultaneously with bacteriological and pathological results. The observed specific DNA products in tissue samples of infected and non-infected dogs demonstrate significant sensitivity of PCR method. It could be assumed that the transmission of M. tuberculosis infection is possible by close contact between ill and healthy dogs and that the naturally infected dogs or dogs suffering from tuberculosis may serve as a permanent source of infection to humans and other animals.