Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Skin infections from Mycobacterium in cats in France and New Caledonia
By Laprie, Caroline et al.·Published in Veterinary Dermatology·2013·Laboratoire Vet‐Histo 11 bis bd Miremonts 13008 Marseille France, France·View original on Crossref →
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Original publication title: Feline cutaneous mycobacteriosis: a review of clinical, pathological and molecular characterization of one case of Mycobacterium microti skin infection and nine cases of feline leprosy syndrome from France and New Caledonia
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
Ten cats with skin problems, including hair loss and ulcerated lumps, were studied to understand a type of skin infection called cutaneous mycobacteriosis. Most of the cats had only a few nodules, but three had more severe symptoms. Tests showed that eight of the cats had a bacteria called Mycobacterium lepraemurium, which is linked to feline leprosy, while one cat had Mycobacterium microti and was sadly euthanized due to its serious condition. Generally, feline leprosy appears to be a self-limiting disease, but proper testing is important to determine if it could affect humans.
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Abstract
BackgroundTen cats with skin lesions characteristic of cutaneous mycobacteriosis were included in this retrospective clinical, pathological and molecular study.Hypothesis/ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to identify the causative agent and to compare the clinicopathological features of these cases with those of previous studies.MethodsCats were from the south east of France (eight cases), central France (one case) and New Caledonia (South Pacific; one case). Criteria for inclusion were histological evidence of granulomatous dermatitis and/or panniculitis, with acid‐fast bacilli within macrophages or extracellularly in regions of tissue necrosis. PCR targeting the 16S–23S internal transcribed spacer region and sequence analysis were performed using DNA extracted from formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tissues from all cases.ResultsAll cats were presented with a history of alopecic to ulcerated nodules. Most cases had limited disease, with one to few nodules, while others (three cats) showed a more aggressive clinical course. Lesions from eight cats yielded a sequence consistent with Mycobacterium lepraemurium, while Mycobacterium microti was identified postmortem from the cutaneous lesion in the cat originating from central France and euthanized for its debilitating condition. No PCR product could be amplified from the remaining specimen.Conclusions and clinical importanceBased on this geographically restricted case series, feline leprosy in southern France is most likely to be caused by M. lepraemurium and presents as a generally self‐limiting disease. Molecular testing is essential to assess zoonotic potential, because M. microti‐induced cutaneous mycobacteriosis can resemble feline leprosy syndrome.
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Search related cases →Original publication on Crossref: https://doi.org/10.1111/vde.12066