ABSTRACT
We diagnosed Mycobacterium tuberculosis in captive lemurs and a fossa in Antananarivo, Madagascar. We noted clinical signs in the animals and found characteristic lesions during necropsy. The source of infection remains unknown. Our results illustrate the potential for reverse zoonotic infections and intraspecies transmission of tuberculosis in captive wildlife.
Subject(s)
Lemur , Mycobacterium tuberculosis , Tuberculosis , Animals , Madagascar/epidemiology , Tuberculosis/veterinary , Animals, Wild , Animals, ZooABSTRACT
We diagnosed tuberculosis in an illegally wild-captured pet ring-tailed lemur manifesting lethargy, anorexia, and cervical lymphadenopathy. Whole-genome sequencing confirmed the Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolate belonged to lineage 3 and harbored streptomycin resistance. We recommend reverse zoonosis prevention and determination of whether lemurs are able to maintain M. tuberculosis infection.
