Poster presentado en 33rd Annual Congress of the European Society of Mycobacteriology

1 de julio de 2012

Romero B., Rodriguez-Campos S., Gomez-Mampaso E., Alvarez A., Bezos J., Fernandez de Mera IG., Alende T., Gutierrez A., Mateos A. y Aranaz A.

Tuberculosis (TB) in animals caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a rare event and this pathogen is mainly adapted to the human host. In fact, the M. tuberculosis infection in animals is associated with the captive settings and the transmission from infected humans to animals can occur. Unlike other members of the M. tuberculosis complex involved in the bovine tuberculosis (i.e. M. bovis or M. caprae), the transmission of M. tuberculosis between animals and to humans is uncommon. In 2008 an adult female orangutan arrived to a zoological garden in Spain from another zoo located in East Europe. The animal coughed occasionally but the Mantoux test was repeatedly negative. She was treated several times with amoxicillin, clavulanic, azithromycin, and ivermectin due to an increase in the cough frequency and the detection of pulmonary parasites (Strongyloides spp.). The X-Ray and ecography images showed a severe pneumoniae and the presence of liquid in the air sacs. Unfortunately the animal died after the recovery from anesthesia. A detailed necropsy was done and samples from the lung, spleen, liver, and mediastinic lymph node were taken for the bacteriological TB diagnosis. M. tuberculosis was recovered from the pooled tissue samples and the isolate was identified by PCR, being characterized as a Beijing strain (spoligotyping pattern SIT1) that is distributed worldwide. In addition, the drug susceptibility testing was performed and the isolate showed resistance to isoniazid, rifampin and ethambutol (MDR, multi-drug resistance) among 10 anti-tuberculosis drugs. An exhaustive epidemiological study was carried out in the zoo including human beings and the animals in contact with this orangutan. All zoo keepers were negative to the Mantoux test. Following an established protocol several samples (i.e. tracheal and stomach washes, and pharyngeal and nasal swabs) were taken from other orangutans and other animal species living in the same facilities. All of them were TB negative. In accordance with the information available it was not possible to find out the human or animal source of MDR-TB although it is likely that the animal was already infected when she arrived to Spain

	Servicio de Micobacterias (MYC). Centro de Vigilancia Sanitaria Veterinaria (VISAVET). Universidad Complutense (UCM).
	Departamento de Sanidad Animal. Facultad de Veterinaria. Universidad Complutense (UCM).

Enlace a 33rd Annual Congress of the European Society of Mycobacteriology