Mycobacterium avium subspecies hominissuis infection in a dog from Germany with multifocal alopecia, exfoliative dermatitis, hypercalcaemia and subsequent sebaceous atrophy

Abstract

Mycobacterium avium subspecies hominissuis belongs to the M avium complex and infections with this agent are reported rarely in the dog. A nine-year-old intact female Elo dog was presented with widespread hypotrichosis, erythema and exfoliation. Other clinical signs were polyuria/polydipsia and severe weight loss. No other animals or humans in the household showed any dermatological abnormalities. Multiple skin biopsies identified a pyogranulomatous dermatitis but no causative agent could be detected. Skin tissue culture and PCR revealed M avium subspecies hominissuis. Hypercalcaemia (ionised calcium) was initially present. All other serum biochemistry parameters, chest radiographs, abdominal ultrasound, parathyroid hormone and parathyroid hormone-related protein were within the reference interval. Subsequent to therapy with rifampicin, pradofloxacin and oral fatty acids the pyogranulomatous dermatitis resolved and mycobacteria could not be detected but sebaceous glands were lost histopathologically. This is the first report describing a dog infected with M avium subspecies hominissuis successfully treated with antibiotic therapy and with no zoonotic transmission. BACKGROUND

Molecular and Serological Footprints of Mycobacterium avium Subspecies Infections in Zoo Animals

“…The multiplex real-time PCR for the simultaneous detection of MAA and MAH was positive for a MAH IS1245 insertion sequence in environmental samples of the enclosures of Eastern Javan langurs and one family group of bonobos. The detection of MAH has also been described in other species: cervids [ 49 , 50 ], cattle [ 51 ], horses [ 52 ], dogs [ 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 ], one cat [ 57 ], one blue-fronted Amazon parrot ( Amazona aestiva ) [ 58 ], and in naturally infected captive water birds [ 59 ]. In a zoological garden, MAH infection was diagnosed in bongo antelopes ( Tragelaphus eurycerus ).…”

Vitamin D Metabolism and Profiling in Veterinary Species

“…Typically, this occurs in patients with granulomatous diseases, where a dysregulated immune response results in the excessive production of 1,25(OH) 2 D, typically by macrophages. This syndrome has been reported in dogs with sterile granulomatous lymphadenitis [ 206 ], granulomatous inflammation following placement of a biological implant [ 207 ], Angiostrongylus vasorum infections [ 208 ], Mycobacterium avium subspecies hominissuis infection [ 209 ], and blastomycosis infection in a cat [ 210 ]. Excessive production of 1,25(OH) 2 D has also been postulated to be important in driving hypercalcaemia in dogs with autoimmune diseases such as immune mediated polyarthritis [ 211 ].…”

Unusual presentation of canine Mycobacterium avium infection

“…In cats, skin lesions are a frequent feature of the disease 8 . In dogs, cutaneous lesions are reported in only two cases 13 14 . Most cases demonstrate involvement of the gastrointestinal tract, liver and spleen.…”

“…Systemic clinical signs include lethargy, weight loss and diarrhoea. [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] This short communication describes an atypical case of canine M avium infection that occurred in a breed with no reported predisposition and presented with a cutaneous lesion but no systemic clinical signs.…”