Genomics insights into a Mycobacterium pinnipedii isolate causing tuberculosis in a captive South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens) from Italy.

ABSTRACT: Tuberculosis (TB) affects humans and other animals, and it is caused by bacteria within the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC). In this study, we report the characterisation of Mycobacterium pinnipedii that caused a TB case in a sea lion (Otaria flavescens) kept in an Italian zoo. The animal died due to severe, progressive disorders involving the respiratory and gastro-enteric systems and the skin. At necropsy, typical gross lesions referable to a TB generalised form were found. In particular, nodular granulomatous lesions were detected in the lungs and several lymph nodes, and colonies referable to Mycobacterium spp. were isolated from lung, mesenteric, and mediastinal lymph nodes. The isolate was identified by PCR as a MTBC, had a spoligotype SB 1480 ("

SUBMITTER: Alba P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10768177 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature