Mycobacterium genavense infections in pet animals

Abstract

Mycobacterium genavense, a recently reported cause of a wasting illness in patients with AIDS, was isolated from a cervical lymph node from a dog with severe hind limb weakness and from trachael tissue from a parrot with acute onset respiratory distress. Physicians caring for immunocompromised patients should consider birds and dogs potential sources of M. genavense infection and submit appropriate specimens for culture.

Mycobacterium genavense infection in a patient with long‐standing chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

“…With few exceptions, it has been found to cause disseminated disease in severely immunocompromised HIV-infected individuals. Case reports from several continents [3,7,8] and the isolation of the organism from pet animals [9,10], as well as from the gastrointestinal tract of healthy humans [11], indicate that M. genavense is a ubiquitous environmental pathogen.…”

DisseminatedMycobacterium aviuminfection in a dog with chronic diarrhoea

“…In addition, the use of PCR or DNA probe techniques can provide identification of the causative organism weeks earlier than conventional phenotypic characterisation. Although identification of the mycobacterial species in this case was made after necropsy, in other cases where imple- 26 (no necropsy) ethambutol, recurrence enrofloxacin a AFB = acid-fast bacilli, CNS = central nervous system, F = female, FS = female speyed, GIT = gastrointestinal tract, LN = lymph node, M = male, MAC = Mycobacterium avium complex, MC = male castrated, PU/PD = polyuria/polydipsia, Clinical three Schnauzer littermates led to the suggestion of inherited immune deficiencies. 18,20 Investigation of the Schnauzers revealed normal representation of T-cells and normal CD4+ to CD8+ T-cell ratio with an absolute and relative increase in Bcells.…”

“…[36][37][38] A few reports of successful treatment of nonMAC mycobacterial infections in dogs and cats suggest similar applications in veterinary patients. 26,39 Current recommendations for disseminated MAC infections in human patients with AIDS include multidrug therapy to maximise efficacy and minimise emergence of resistance. [36][37][38]40 Initial therapy should consist of at least two antimicrobial agents, with a third drug added in appropriate cases (for example, patients at high risk and those likely to tolerate gastrointestinal side-effects of multidrug therapy).…”

Mycobacterium genavense infection in a solid organ recipient: a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge

“…M. genavense is a fastidious NTM, which can be isolated from tap water, domestic animals, and the gastrointestinal tract of healthy individuals (18)(19)(20). It causes disseminated disease in severely immunocompromised individuals.…”

“…This opportunistic pathogen was also later found in patients with non-HIV-related immunodeficient states, such as solid organ transplantation recipients, patients with impaired cellular immunity, patients with lymphoproliferative malignancies, and patients on immunosuppressive therapy for other reasons (4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17). M. genavense can be isolated from tap water, domestic animals, and the gastrointestinal tract of healthy individuals (18)(19)(20). Symptoms are similar to those observed in Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection and include fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, lymphadenitis, hepatosplenomegaly, and progressive anemia.…”