The first case of Mycobacterium terrae infection in cattle in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

We here describe a case of Mycobacterium terrae infection in a cow in a small dairy household. At necropsy of the cow otherwise positive on routine annual tuberculin skin testing, severe multifocal granulomatous dermatitis and panniculitis, and moderate granulomatous (parasitic) colitis were observed. Histopathology revealed granulomatous dermatitis. Bacteria isolated from regional and thoracic lymph nodes, and skin lesions were identified by colony morphology, biochemical testing and molecular methods as M. terrae. Our findings confirm the difficulties that non-tuberculous mycobacteria can cause in vivo diagnosis of mycobacterial infections, especially in conjunction with parasitic infestations.