Isolation, Molecular Typing, and Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing ofSubspeciesFrom a Dog With Generalized Mycobacteriosis.

Abstract

complex infections are becoming an increasing concern in veterinary medicine because they affect livestock, wildlife, and companion animals. Here we describe the isolation, molecular typing, and antibiotic susceptibility testing of the causative agent of a rare case of generalized mycobacteriosis in a crossbred dog. Mycobacterial colonies were isolated from a popliteal lymph node aspirate sample and molecular typed by SNPs typing of the genesand, the 3' region of thegene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), and MIRU-VNTR analysis. Colonies were also testedagainst the macrolide clarithromycin and other drugs, using a resazurin microdilution assay, in order to provide the most appropriate treatment for the dog. Results from SNPs typing ofand ITS, as well as from MIRU-VNTR analysis suggested the isolation of a single strain ofsubsp.(Mah). On the other hand, SNP typing ofrevealed DNA polymorphisms that led colonies to cluster into two groups. The presence of two distinct strains of Mah has been assumed. All colonies, regardless of the nucleotide sequence of, were found to be sensitive to all of the drugs tested except for ethambutol. Although the therapy administered was adequate, the dog's overall clinical status worsened progressively and the animal died 8 months later. In conclusion, we report on the isolation of Mah from a dog with generalized mycobacteriosis.