Mycobacterium xenopi infection in a pet ferret and zoonotic risk

Abstract

Ferrets are highly susceptible to a wide range of mycobacteria, mainly <i>M. bovis</i>, <i>M. avium</i>, and <i>M. triplex</i>. Therefore, ferrets pose a risk of transmission of mycobacteriosis, especially zoonotically relevant tuberculosis. The aim of this study was to describe the findings of <i>M. xenopi</i> mycobacteriosis in a pet ferret and emphasize its zoonotic potential. A pet ferret had a history of weight loss, apathy, hyporexia, and hair loss. Abdominal ultrasound revealed splenomegaly with two solid masses and cystic lesions of the liver. Fine-needle aspiration cytology revealed numerous acid-fast bacilli in epithelioid cells, thus leading to the suspicion of mycobacterial infection. Because of its poor general condition, the ferret was euthanized. Necropsy examination revealed generalized granulomatous lymphadenitis, pneumonia, myocarditis, splenitis, and hepatitis. Histologically, in all organs, there were multifocal to coalescing areas of inflammatory infiltration composed of epithelioid macrophages, a low number of lymphocytes, and plasma cells, without necrosis nor multinucleated giant cells. Ziehl–Neelsen staining detected the presence of numerous (multibacillary) acid-fast bacteria, which were PCR-typed as <i>M. xenopi</i>. This is the first study showing the antimicrobial susceptibility testing of <i>M. xenopi</i> in veterinary medicine, describing the resistance to doxycycline. Overall, our results could facilitate further diagnosis and provide guidelines for the treatment protocols for such infections.