Feline tuberculosis due to Mycobacterium bovis : case series with clinical course, genotyping and therapeutic outcomes from Buenos Aires, Argentina

Abstract

Case series summary This study describes three cases of feline Mycobacterium bovis infection diagnosed in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Cats presented with variable clinical signs, including lymphadenopathy, respiratory distress, and granulomatous retinopathy. Diagnosis was confirmed by cytology, culture, PCR and spoligotyping, identifying two distinct patterns (SB0140 and SB1780). All cats received a combination therapy of rifampicin, clarithromycin and doxycycline, achieving full recovery in two cases and treatment failure in one. The consistent diagnostic protocol allowed molecular epidemiological characterization. A raw meat diet was identified as a potential source of infection in one case. Relevance and novel information This report provides a comprehensive clinical, molecular and therapeutic description of feline M bovis infection, emphasizing its zoonotic relevance and the need for One Health collaboration.