Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat in UK with lung infection from Mycobacterium caprae bacteria
By Cecilia Gola et al.·Published in Animal Diseases·2025·Veterinary Pathology Centre, University of Surrey, GB·View original on DOAJ →
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Original publication title: Systemic Mycobacterium caprae infection in a domestic cat in the United Kingdom: a case report
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A male castrated Bengal cat in the UK showed respiratory problems and was losing weight. Despite treatment with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications, his condition did not improve. Sadly, after he passed away, a postmortem examination revealed a severe lung infection caused by Mycobacterium caprae, a bacteria usually found in goats. This case highlights the importance of recognizing unusual infections in pets and the need for specialized testing when standard treatments fail.
People also search for: cat respiratory problems · Bengal cat weight loss · Mycobacterium caprae infection in cats
Abstract
Abstract This report describes the first documented case of Mycobacterium caprae (M. caprae) infection in a domestic cat (Felis catus) in the United Kingdom. The affected cat was a male-castrated Bengal breed that presented with respiratory symptoms and progressive weight loss. Clinical signs were unresponsive to antibiotics and anti-inflammatory therapy. Postmortem examination and histopathology revealed severe chronic pyogranulomatous bronchopneumonia with necrosis and acid-fast bacilli, which were identified as M. caprae via PCR and culture. While primarily a pathogen of goats, M. caprae poses zoonotic risks and requires specialized diagnostics. This case emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to address emerging zoonotic threats.
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Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.1186/s44149-025-00163-0