Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link Skip directly to A-Z link Skip directly to A-Z link
Volume 21, Number 3—March 2015
Dispatch

Mycobacterium bovis Infection in Humans and Cats in Same Household, Texas, USA, 2012

Author affiliations: Just Cats Veterinary Services, The Woodlands, Texas, USA (K.E.F. Ramdas, C. McManis); Chembio Diagnostic Systems, Inc., Medford, New York, USA (K.P. Lyashchenko, R. Greenwald); National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Ames, Iowa, USA (S. Robbe-Austerman); National Animal Disease Center, Ames (W.R. Waters)

Cite This Article

Abstract

Mycobacterium bovis infection of cats is exceedingly rare in regions where bovine tuberculosis is not endemic. We describe the diagnosis and clinical management of pulmonary M. bovis infection in 2 indoor-housed cats and their association with at least 1 M. bovis–infected human in Texas, USA, in September 2012.

Tuberculosis in humans and animals results from infection by bacilli within the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (1). Despite ≈99.95% genome sequence identity, M. bovis and M. tuberculosis exhibit distinct differences in host adaptation and susceptibility (2). M. bovis is the primary causative agent of bovine tuberculosis and infects a wider range of hosts than M. tuberculosis. In domestic cats, tuberculosis is caused primarily by infection with M. bovis or M. microti (35); M. tuberculosis infection is less common (6).

Before implementation of bovine tuberculosis control programs and wide-scale pasteurization of milk, alimentary tract disease was the most common form of tuberculosis in cats (7); today, lymphadenopathy and cutaneous forms are more common (4). Diagnosis is based on clinical examination, imaging, biopsy with histopathologic examination, culture of aspirates or tissues, and specific immune-based blood assays (4,8,9). Intradermal skin tests are generally unreliable for diagnosing tuberculosis in cats (10). Client history is critical for determining the possibility for exposure of the cat to the pathogen, and zoonotic aspects should be considered (11). We describe the diagnosis and clinical management of pulmonary M. bovis infection in 2 indoor-housed cats and their association with at least 1 M. bovis–infected human in Texas, USA.

Case Report

In September 2012, a 5-year-old female domestic cat (cat Y) was seen by a veterinarian for dyspnea, tachypnea, hyporexia, and lethargy. She lived indoors with 4 other cats and their female owner. The vague history provided by cat Y’s owner indicated that, ≈11 months earlier, her husband had died of tuberculosis only 6 weeks after diagnosis and initiation of directly observed antimycobacterial therapy. At the time the husband’s tuberculosis was diagnosed, the woman was Mantoux-test negative; ≈2 months after his death, she converted to skin-test positive but had normal findings on thoracic radiographs. She was subsequently treated with antimycobacterial drugs. The woman also reported that, in June 2012, another cat in the household was euthanized after clinical signs developed that were similar to those of cat Y; no necropsy was performed. Additional pertinent history included relocation of the deceased husband from Mexico to Texas 15 years earlier, frequent contact with recent immigrants from Central America and Mexico, and consumption of unpasteurized Mexican cheeses.

Figure 1

Thumbnail of Radiograph images of cat Y showing pulmonary lesions before and after antimycobacterial treatment for Mycobacterium bovis infection, Texas, USA, 2012. A) Pretreatment, right lateral thoracic radiograph showing severe coalescing interstitial to alveolar pulmonary infiltrates before treatment. B) Posttreatment, left lateral thoracic radiograph after 2 months of marbofloxacin, rifampin, and a macrolide for 2 months in cat Y and then another 3.5 months of rifampin and marbofloxacin alon

Figure 1. Radiograph images of cat Y showing pulmonary lesions before and after antimycobacterial treatment for Mycobacterium bovis infection, Texas, USA, 2012. A) Pretreatment, right lateral thoracic radiograph showing severe coalescing interstitial to...

On examination, cat Y had a productive cough with blood-tinged sputum, increased respiratory effort, and dorsal muscle wasting. A complete blood cell count revealed an elevated total leukocyte count, elevated neutrophil count, and mild anemia, consistent with chronic inflammatory disease. Abdominal and thoracic radiographs (Figure 1) showed severe bronchointerstitial consolidating lung disease with poorly defined nodules, tracheobronchial lymphadenopathy, and mild hepatosplenomegaly. Lung aspiration and cultures were performed under general anesthesia. Bloody sputum was noted in the endotracheal tube. Aerobic and anaerobic cultures and acid-fast bacilli (AFB) stains of aspirated samples were negative, and cytologically the samples were identified as mixed-cell inflammation. Given the history and clinical suspicion of tuberculosis, rifampin, marbofloxacin, and clarithromycin were prescribed, along with isolation of cat Y in a separate room in the household. Cat Y responded favorably to empirical treatment with antimycobacterial drugs (Figure 1).

Figure 2

Thumbnail of Antibody test results for cats tested for Mycobacterium bovis infection, Texas, USA, 2012. A) Antibody reactivity in infected (Y, G) and presumed noninfected (A–C) cats. Images show MAPIA strips processed with serum samples as described previously (13,14). Visible bands reflect the presence of IgG to Mycobacterium bovis antigens indicated in the right margin. B) Antibody levels in infected cats Y and G during antimycobacterial therapy. Intensity of test bands in TB STAT-PAK (solid s

Figure 2. Antibody test results for cats tested for Mycobacterium bovis infection, Texas, USA, 2012. A) Antibody reactivity in infected (Y, G) and presumed noninfected (A–C) cats. Images show MAPIA strips processed with...

One month after cat Y was initially seen for care, all 5 cats in the household (cat Y, cats A–C, and cat G) were brought for screening thoracic radiographs and serology. Cats A–C and G exhibited no respiratory signs and appeared clinically healthy. Lung radiographs of cat G showed perihilar nodular changes and consolidation consistent with granulomas. The 5 cats were tested by 3 antibody-detection assays, MAPIA, TB STAT-PAK, and DPP VetTB (Chembio Diagnostic Systems, Inc., Medford, NY, USA), known to detect specific antibody in feline M. bovis or M. microti infection (8,12). Cats Y and G were seropositive by all 3 immunoassays upon initial testing; the other cats (cats A, B, and C) were seronegative (Figure 2). Serum from cats Y and G reacted with MPB70 and MPB83 antigens. Serum from cat G also reacted to ESAT-6 protein and its fusion with CFP10 (Figure 2, panel A). The feline antibody profiles were consistent with the known serologic immunodominance of these antigens in M. bovis infection reported for other host species (13). As with elephants (14), serum antibody levels in cats Y and G gradually declined after 1–3 months of antimycobacterial treatment (Figure 2, panel B). Cats A–C remained antibody negative in all 3 immunoassays during the same period (data not shown).

Given the clinical and serologic findings, the treating veterinarian contacted the appropriate public health authorities, and the owner was instructed to continue isolation of cats Y and G because of the clinical, serologic, and radiographic evidence suggestive of tuberculosis. Efforts to obtain her husband’s medical records to aid in the cats’ diagnosis had been refused until positive serologic test results for cats Y and G were produced (Figure 2), after which permissions from surviving family members were obtained. A local public health clinic, where the deceased husband had received diagnosis and treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis, provided results of sputum culture. These results showed that M. bovis had been isolated from his sputum; however, a previous investigation had not elucidated a definitive source of infection. After the cats’ veterinarian received this new information, bronchoalveolar lavages and gastric washes were performed on cats Y and G. AFB were detected in cat G’s gastric wash, and M. bovis was isolated by culture conducted at the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (Ames, IA, USA). No mycobacterial growth was obtained from cat Y, presumably because of the 7 weeks of antimycobacterial therapy before sampling. Antimycobacterial therapy (rifampin, marbofloxacin, and clarithromycin) was initiated for asymptomatic cat G. Whole-genome sequencing performed at the National Veterinary Services Laboratories revealed that the isolate from the husband and cat G were closely related but not identical; there were 8 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) between the 2 isolates (Table). As of April 8, 2014, all 5 cats and the owner remained clinically well.

Conclusions

Our findings highlight the possibility of M. bovis infection in an unlikely geographic locale (Houston, Texas) to which bovine tuberculosis is not endemic and an unlikely population (cats and humans living in the same household). The owners and their cats had no known contact with cattle or wildlife; however, the deceased husband had relocated to Texas from a country where bovine tuberculosis is considered endemic. The family also had frequent visitors and consumed unpasteurized dairy products from bovine tuberculosis–endemic countries. The cat that had died with signs consistent with pulmonary tuberculosis spent extended close contact with the owner, who died of pulmonary M. bovis infection. All cats in the household had close and frequent contact with both owners. Whole-genome sequencing indicated that the cat and human M. bovis isolates, although closely related, were either 3 or 5 SNPs from sharing a common ancestor. Previous research suggests variable SNP accumulations (0–2) per transmission event, which implies that direct transmission between the owner and cat G is unlikely (15). However, whether the isolates recovered reflect all the genotypes within the individual is unknown. A clinically relevant finding was the use of serologic testing to justify additional procedures necessary for isolating M. bovis and assisting with treatment monitoring. These findings highlight the complexity of diagnosing M. bovis infection in an unanticipated host and setting.

Dr. Ramdas is an associate veterinarian at Just Cats Veterinary Services in Houston. Her practice interests include infectious diseases, and geriatrics.

Top

Acknowledgment

We thank Michael White for his help in following the human side of this event and facilitating communication with the appropriate public health channels. We also thank Denise Dunbar for providing the M. bovis isolate from the human.

Top

References

  1. Rodriguez-Campos  S, Smith  NH, Boniotti  MB, Aranaz  A. Overview and phylogeny of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex organisms: implications for diagnostics and legislation of bovine tuberculosis. Res Vet Sci. 2014;97(Suppl):S519 . DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar
  2. Garnier  T, Eiglmeier  K, Camus  JC, Medina  N, Mansoor  H, Pryor  M, The complete genome sequence of Mycobacterium bovis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2003;100:787782. DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar
  3. Broughan  JM, Downs  SH, Crawshaw  TR, Upton  PA, Brewer  J, Clifton-Hadley  RS. Mycobacterium bovis infections in domesticated non-bovine mammalian species. Part 1: review of epidemiology and laboratory submissions in Great Britain 2004–2010. Vet J. 2013;198:33945. DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar
  4. Rüfenacht  S, Bögli-Stuber  K, Bodmer  T, Jaunin  VF, Jmaa  DC, Gunn-Moore  DA. Mycobacterium microti infection in the cat: a case report, literature review and recent clinical experience. J Feline Med Surg. 2011;13:195204. DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar
  5. Gunn-Moore  DA. Feline mycobacterial infections. Vet J. 2014;201:2308. DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar
  6. Smith  JE. Symposium on diseases of cats. III. Some pathogenic bacteria of cats with special reference to their public health significance. J Small Anim Pract. 1965;5:51724. DOIGoogle Scholar
  7. Jennings  AR. The distribution of tuberculous lesions in the dog and cat, with reference to the pathogenesis. Vet Rec. 1949;61:3805.
  8. Rhodes  SG, Gunn-Mooore  D, Boschiroli  ML, Schiller  I, Esfandiari  J, Greenwald  R, Comparative study of IFNγ and antibody tests for feline tuberculosis. Vet Immunol Immunopathol. 2011;144:12934. DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar
  9. Zimmerman  DM, Waters  WR, Lyashchenko  KP, Nonnecke  BJ, Armstrong  DL, Jacobs  WR Jr, Safety and immunogenicity of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis DeltalysA DeltapanCD vaccine in domestic cats infected with feline immunodeficiency virus. Clin Vaccine Immunol. 2009;16:4279. DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar
  10. Broughan  JM, Crawshaw  TR, Downs  SH, Brewer  J, Clifton-Hadley  RS. Mycobacterium bovis infections in domesticated non-bovine mammalian species. Part 2: a review of diagnostic methods. Vet J. 2013b;198:34651. DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar
  11. Symcox  J. Two people contract TB from cats in first cases of feline-to-human transmission. Mirror. 2014 May 27 [cited 2014 May 28]. http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/first-tb-cats-cases-reported-3292176
  12. Miller  M, Joubert  J, Mathebula  N, De Klerk-Lorist  LM, Lyashchenko  KP, Bengis  R, Detection of antibodies to tuberculosis antigens in free-ranging lions (Panthera leo) infected with Mycobacterium bovis in Kruger National Park, South Africa. J Zoo Wildl Med. 2012;43:31723 . DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar
  13. Waters  WR, Stevens  GE, Schoenbaum  MA, Orloski  KA, Robbe-Austerman  S, Harris  NB, Bovine tuberculosis in a Nebraska herd of farmed elk and fallow deer: a failure of the tuberculin skin test and opportunities for serodiagnosis. Vet Med Int. 2011;2011:953985.
  14. Lyashchenko  KP, Greenwald  R, Esfandiari  J, Olsen  JH, Ball  R, Dumonceaux  G, Tuberculosis in elephants: antibody responses to defined antigens of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, potential for early diagnosis, and monitoring of treatment. Clin Vaccine Immunol. 2006;13:72232. DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar
  15. Kato-Maeda  M, Ho  C, Passarelli  B, Banaei  N, Grinsdale  J, Flores  L, Use of whole genome sequencing to determine the microevolution of Mycobacterium tuberculosis during an outbreak. PLoS ONE. 2013;8:e58235 . DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar

Top

Figures
Table

Top

Cite This Article

DOI: 10.3201/eid2103.140715

Table of Contents – Volume 21, Number 3—March 2015

EID Search Options
presentation_01 Advanced Article Search – Search articles by author and/or keyword.
presentation_01 Articles by Country Search – Search articles by the topic country.
presentation_01 Article Type Search – Search articles by article type and issue.

Top

Comments

Please use the form below to submit correspondence to the authors or contact them at the following address:

Address for correspondence. Kira E.F. Ramdas, Just Cats Veterinary Services, 1015 Evergreen Circle, The Woodlands, TX 77380, USA

Send To

10000 character(s) remaining.

Top

Page created: February 18, 2015
Page updated: February 18, 2015
Page reviewed: February 18, 2015
The conclusions, findings, and opinions expressed by authors contributing to this journal do not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Public Health Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the authors' affiliated institutions. Use of trade names is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by any of the groups named above.
file_external