c Mycobacterium bovis is responsible for a zoonosis originating in cattle. We report a case of a man with vertebral spondylodiscitis caused by Mycobacterium bovis. Diagnosis was complicated because of the lack of IS6110. These strains are rare, but microbiologists should be aware of their existence. CASE REPORT In May 2009, a 72-year-old man born in Belgium was seen in the orthopedic department because of back pain with right-sided radiation for a few weeks. This back pain progressively decreased his ability to perform daily activities. He had no pulmonary or cardiac complaints. He had already received antibiotics (first amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and then ciprofloxacin and oxacillin) from his general practitioner for a presumptive diagnosis of bacterial discitis.His previous medical history was unremarkable. The patient was a diplomat and ambassador and had lived on almost every continent. His career started in Kinshasa in 1965 and ended in Canberra in 2002. He actively competed in running competitions. Relevant history included a 7-year stay in Asia, including Pakistan, Malaysia, and Thailand, and he returned 10 years prior to hospitalization. The patient had consumed dairy products and unpasteurized milk in Asia and also had close contact with wild boars.During his hospitalization, a magnetic resonance imaging study was performed and showed the presence of spondylodiscitis involving the D9 and D10 vertebral bodies and a beginning paravertebral abscess. Biological testing showed a white blood cell count of 7,130/mm 3 , a C-reactive protein level of 3.90 mg/dl, and an erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 17 mm/h.Culture of a biopsy specimen of the involved disc was negative. Blood cultures were taken but remained negative. Mycobacterial culture was not performed. The patient was treated with 1 g intravenous amoxicillin-clavulanic acid four times a day and 1 g intravenous vancomycin twice daily. The patient was discharged with 875 mg oral amoxicillin-clavulanic acid three times a day.A few weeks later, the patient was rehospitalized for follow-up nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis. This showed spondylodiscitis of D8, D9, and D10 and a progression of the paravertebral abscess (Fig. 1A). At that time, a tuberculin skin test (TST) was performed and was positive, with an induration of 30 by 40 mm. Taking the diagnosis to be a Pott's abscess, another biopsy of the involved region was performed and an antituberculosis drug regimen consisting of 300 mg rifampin (RIF) twice daily, 300 mg isoniazid (INH) once daily, and 500 mg pyrazinamide (PZA) three times a day was initiated.A Ziehl-Neelsen stain of the biopsy specimen was positive for acid-fast bacilli; however, PCR testing for the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex based on IS6110 was negative. Subsequently, 500 mg clarithromycin twice daily was added to the triple therapy because atypical mycobacteria were not able to be excluded at that time.After 5 weeks, acid-fast bacilli were grown on Lowenstein-Jensen medium (37°C). PCR for the M. tuberculosis complex base...