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Pyogranuloma caused by Mycobacterium asiaticum infection in a steer

Jane Oakey1, Judy Forbes-Faulkner, Christopher Gilpin

  • 1Oonoonba Veterinary Laboratory, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Biosecurity North Region, PO Box 1085, Townsville, Queensland 4810, Australia.

Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation : Official Publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc
|September 1, 2005
PubMed

Insights

A steer diagnosed with metastatic tumors revealed an acid-fast bacillus infection. The pathogen, Mycobacterium asiaticum, a rare human opportunistic pathogen, was identified, marking its first occurrence in cattle.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Pathology
  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Metastatic tumors in cattle carcasses can indicate underlying infections.
  • Granulomatous lesions in lymph nodes require etiological investigation.
  • Acid-fast bacilli are a diverse group of bacteria with varying clinical presentations.

Observation:

  • A steer carcass condemned due to metastatic tumors presented with a mediastinal lymph node pyogranuloma.
  • Histological examination revealed an acid-fast bacillus as the sole etiological agent.
  • Nucleic acid-based techniques identified the isolate as Mycobacterium asiaticum.

Findings:

  • Mycobacterium asiaticum, typically an opportunistic human pathogen from subtropical regions, was identified in cattle.
  • This represents the first documented case of Mycobacterium asiaticum infection in cattle.
  • The observed lesion differed from typical fibrous lesions associated with acid-fast bacilli.

Implications:

  • This finding expands the known host range of Mycobacterium asiaticum.
  • It highlights the potential for zoonotic transmission or shared environmental sources.
  • Further research is needed to understand the pathogenesis and epidemiology of this infection in livestock.

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