Detection of non-tuberculous mycobacteria in native wildlife species at conservation risk of Argentina.

Introduction: Non-tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) are mainly environmental but can cause opportunistic infections and diseases in humans and animals. Livestock and wild animals can be infected with NTM. In Argentina, there are native wild species facing conservation risks, and they are the focus of protection and reintroduction projects designed to preserve biodiversity in various ecoregions. The aim of this study was to report the presence of NTM in samples collected from four endangered native wild species from nine Argentine provinces, as part of their pre-release health assessment. Methods: A total of 165 samples from giant anteater, peccary, tapir and pampas deer were obtained, these included either bronchoalveolar or endotracheal lavages, or oropharyngeal, nasopharyngeal or tracheal swabs. Bacteriological culture followed by molecular identification and sequencing were performed. Results: A total of 27 NTM were detected, including Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis, M. intracellulare, M. terrae, M. gordonense, M. kumamotonense, M. fortuitum, M. saskatchewanense, and M. genavense. Results revealed a 16,36% NTM recovery rate, with the giant anteater showing the highest prevalence among the mammals under study. Discussion: In Argentina, due to extensive production systems, the interaction between domestic and wild species sharing the same environment is frequent, increasing the exposure of all the species to these NTM. In this way, the transmission of infectious agents from one to another is feasible. Moreover, NTMs might interfere with the diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis and paratuberculosis. These findings emphasize the importance of active health surveillance in conservation programs. It highlights the need to address NTM epidemiology in wildlife and its impact on conservation and public health.

Mycobacterium Avium in Miniature Schnauzer From Argentina: A Series of Cases.

Environmental mycobacteria such as those from the Mycobacterium avium-intacellulare complex may cause disseminated and severe disease in dogs with genetic predisposition. A series of cases of 4 miniature schnauzers with nonspecific clinical signs and the diagnostic tests are described. Complementary means of diagnosis including complete blood count, biochemical serum analyses and fine needle aspiration cytology staining were performed. The bacteriological culture followed by PCR amplification of 1245 and 901 insertion sequences, allowed the identification of Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis. This environmental Mycobacteria normally do not cause severe disease in dogs or other species, but when CARD-9 gene presents mutations, dogs may become extremely susceptible and disease is fast, disseminated, and fatal. Antibiotic therapy can be applied under veterinary consideration in specific situations, as treatment is usually applied for a long period of time. Although zoonotic risk is low as the Mycobacterium is environmental, contamination of the location may be high, and immunosuppressed animals and humans can develop infection as well. This report may aid clinical veterinarians in the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis in similar cases of this breed and others with the genetic predisposition.