Generalized avian tuberculosis in a horse.
Abstract: THE horse appears to possess a strong innate resistance to
tuberculosis because the disease is infrequently recognised even
in countries where the condition is common in other species
(Luke 1958). Reports of the disease are now scarce and earlier
records of infections in horses usually implicated the bovine
strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, although avian and
human strains have been isolated. Of 55 equine cases reviewed
by Griffith (1937), 53 were caused by the bovine strain and two
were independently infected with avian and human strains.
Since the implementation of the bovine tuberculosis eradication
scheme, the opportunity for equine infection with the bovine
strain has declined, and a more recent report (Muser 1961)
shows a distinct trend towards a reversal of strain incidence; 55
of his series of 69 mycobacterium isolates from horses were of
the avian type.
Tuberculous lesions may be confined to limited areas of the
body, or they may occur in a generalised form with involvement
of a number of organ systems. The clinical signs associated with
the disease will, therefore, vary depending upon which organ
systems are affected. This report describes the clinical and
pathological features of a case of generalised miliary
tuberculosis caused by the avian strain.
Publication Date: 1986-05-01 PubMed ID: 3732245DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1986.tb03607.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The article discusses a rare case of generalized avian tuberculosis in a horse. Horses usually exhibit strong resistance to tuberculosis, but this study uncovers an isolated incident caused by an avian strain of the infection.
Discussion on Horse’s Resistance to Tuberculosis
- Horses are generally resistant to tuberculosis, with the disease being uncommon in these animals, even in areas where it is frequent in other species.
- The bovine strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis was typically implicated in rare cases of horse infections in the past. However, avian and human strains have also been recognized.
- In a review done by Griffith in 1937, it was found that out of 55 equine cases, 53 were due to the bovine strain. Two were independently infected with avian and human strains.
The Change in Strain Incidence
- With the advent of the bovine tuberculosis eradication scheme, occurrences of equine infection with the bovine strain have decreased.
- A notable switch in strain incidence has been documented, with a significant increase in the number of cases caused by the avian strain reported in recent literature. For instance, in a study by Muser in 1961, out of 69 mycobacterium isolates from horses, 55 were of the avian type.
Symptoms and Signs of Avian Tuberculosis in Horses
- Tuberculous lesions may either be localized to certain parts of the horse’s body or generalize, affecting multiple organ systems.
- The clinical signs of the disease differ depending on the organ systems infected.
A Case of Generalized Avian Tuberculosis in a Horse
- The article presents a case of generalized miliary tuberculosis (a severe form of tuberculosis where numerous small lesions spread throughout the body) in a horse, caused by the avian strain.
- Both the clinical and pathological features of this unique case are discussed, although they are not detailed in the abstract.
Cite This Article
APA
Mair TS, Taylor FG, Gibbs C, Lucke VM.
(1986).
Generalized avian tuberculosis in a horse.
Equine Vet J, 18(3), 226-230.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1986.tb03607.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses / microbiology
- Mycobacterium avium
- Radiography
- Tuberculosis / diagnostic imaging
- Tuberculosis / pathology
- Tuberculosis / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Sano Y, Matsuda K, Osaki K, Miyasho T, Tsuda T, Taniyama H. Systemic mycobacteriosis in an aborted thoroughbred fetus in Japan. J Vet Med Sci 2014 Dec;76(12):1617-21.
- Nowicka B, Łopuszyński W, Krajewska-Wędzina M, Biazik A, Sobuś M, Polkowska I, Szacawa E. Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis infection in horses with granulomatous enterocolitis - first report in Poland. J Vet Res 2025 Dec;69(4):545-552.
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