Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis infection in horses.
Abstract: No abstract available
Publication Date: 2010-08-04 PubMed ID: 20678342PubMed Central: PMC3298305DOI: 10.3201/eid1608.100097Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
This study discusses the discovery of Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis infection in two sibling Fjord horses. The research suggests that these infections, typically found in pigs and humans, could potentially infect horses. The infected horses might then become a source of transmission to immunocompromised humans who are in close contact.
Research Objective and Background
- The research intended to discover the cause of the illness in two sibling Fjord horses exhibiting symptoms such as diarrhea, weight loss, and lethargy.
- Previously, infections of Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis were usually detected in pigs and humans, with dogs and pet parrots identified as possible sources of transmission to immunocompromised humans.
Methodology and Findings
- The first case involved a 2-year-old colt admitted to a veterinary clinic with severe symptoms. Although initial treatments seemingly improved the horse’s condition, further investigations revealed major internal infections. Postmortem analysis identified a massive number of Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis cells in the horse’s system.
- The second horse, a 1-year-old filly, exhibited similar symptoms after a month. Like her sibling, she had significant amounts of the infection, but her condition only temporarily improved with traditional treatment. She was euthanized after her condition deteriorated.
- Postmortem analysis again revealed massive Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis infection in the horse’s system.
Implications and Further Research
- This research suggests the possibility of Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis infection in horses, a concern that was previously not well explored.
- The researchers assume that the infections could be caused by a genetic predisposition related to immunodeficiency.
- This study indicates a risk of transmission from infected horses to humans, especially those with compromised immune systems. This is particularly pertinent as horses are frequently used in therapeutic activities with vulnerable individuals, such as children with cerebral palsy.
- The findings expose a potential risk that warrants further investigation into protection measures and directives for those in close contact with horses, both clinically ill and suspected carriers of the infection.
Cite This Article
APA
Kriz P, Jahn P, Bezdekova B, Blahutkova M, Mrlik V, Slana I, Pavlik I.
(2010).
Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis infection in horses.
Emerg Infect Dis, 16(8), 1328-1329.
https://doi.org/10.3201/eid1608.100097 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Czech Republic
- Fatal Outcome
- Female
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Horses
- Intestinal Diseases / microbiology
- Intestinal Diseases / veterinary
- Male
- Mycobacterium avium / isolation & purification
- Tuberculosis / microbiology
- Tuberculosis / veterinary
References
This article includes 10 references
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Citations
This article has been cited 17 times.- Li L, Maboni G, Lack A, Gomez DE. Nontuberculous Mycobacteria in Horses: A Narrative Review. Vet Sci 2023 Jul 6;10(7).
- Ghielmetti G, Giger U. Mycobacterium avium: an Emerging Pathogen for Dog Breeds with Hereditary Immunodeficiencies. Curr Clin Microbiol Rep 2020 Sep;7(3):67-80.
- Bassis S, Fischer S, Köhler H, Reinhold P. Acid-base variables in acute and chronic form of nontuberculous mycobacterial infection in growing goats experimentally inoculated with Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis or Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis. PLoS One 2020;15(12):e0243892.
- Roller M, Hansen S, Böhlken-Fascher S, Knauf-Witzens T, Czerny CP, Goethe R, Abd El Wahed A. Molecular and Serological Footprints of Mycobacterium avium Subspecies Infections in Zoo Animals. Vet Sci 2020 Aug 23;7(3).
- Kinoshita Y, Niwa H, Uchida-Fujii E, Nukada T. Complete Genome Sequence of Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis Strain JP-H-1, Isolated from an Equine Abortion Case in Japan. Microbiol Resour Announc 2019 Nov 27;8(48).
- Vail KJ, Stranahan LW, Richardson LM, Yanchik AE, Arnold CE, Porter BF, Wiener DJ. Granulomatous Rhinitis in a Horse due to Mycobacterium intracellulare Infection. J Comp Pathol 2019 May;169:30-34.
- Klotz D, Barth SA, Baumgärtner W, Hewicker-Trautwein M. Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis Infection in a Domestic Rabbit, Germany. Emerg Infect Dis 2018 Mar;24(3):596-598.
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- Kim MC, Kim J, Kang W, Jang Y, Kim Y. Systemic infection of Mycobacterium avium subspecies hominissuis and fungus in a pet dog. J Vet Med Sci 2016 Jan;78(1):157-60.
- 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.
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- Winter JM, Langan JN, Landolfi JA, Thacker T, Delk KW. Disseminated nontuberculous mycobacteriosis due to Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis infection in a reindeer from a zoo. J Vet Diagn Invest 2025 Mar;37(2):324-328.
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