Mycobacterium avium: an Emerging Pathogen for Dog Breeds with Hereditary Immunodeficiencies

Abstract

Purpose of Review Among the non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) is the leading cause of pulmonary disease in humans. Innate and acquired immunodeficiencies have been associated with an increased host susceptibility to NTM infections. The underlying mechanisms predisposing humans and dogs to MAC infections are being elucidated. Recent Findings Although MAC infection is infrequently diagnosed in dogs, a strong breed predisposition particularly for Miniature Schnauzer and Basset Hound dogs is evident. A recessively inherited defect of the adaptor protein CARD9 has recently been documented to be responsible for the increased susceptibility to MAC in the Miniature Schnauzer breed. Summary Given the zoonotic potential of a MAC-infected dog particularly to immunocompromised human patients, diseased dogs pose a public health risk. While not a reportable disease, treatment of systemic mycobacteriosis is generally not effective and discouraged in dogs. The collaborative efforts by microbiologists, veterinary clinicians, dog breeders, primary care physicians, and infectious disease specialists applying the One Health approach are therefore crucial for the best management and prevention of MAC infection.

Mycobacterium avium Modulates the Protective Immune Response in Canine Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

“…M. avium infection has been reported in a wide range of animals, including companion dogs and cats ( Pavlik et al., 2000 ; Campora et al., 2011 ). Disseminated M. avium infection in dogs has been consistently reported, and most cases report granulomatous inflammation in infected organs ( Horn et al., 2000 ; Campora et al., 2011 ; Lam et al., 2012 ; Kim et al., 2016 ; Ghielmetti and Giger, 2020 ). As the number of cases of M. avium infection in dog increases, understanding the mechanisms of M. avium infection is necessary to prevent potential mycobacterial infection.…”

“…Other Mycobacterium species have been reported as common etiological agents of canine mycobacteriosis; however, dogs are known to be resistant to M. avium ( Carpenter et al., 1988 ; Shackelford and Reed, 1989 ; Horn et al., 2000 ; Greene, 2006 ). Nonetheless, some type of breeds are more susceptible to M. avium , and an increasing number of cases of M. avium infection in dogs have been reported, several of which have shown granulomatous inflammation in infected organs, such as lung, liver, bone marrow, intestine and lymph nodes ( Kim et al., 1994 ; Haist et al., 2008 ; Campora et al., 2011 ; Kim et al., 2016 ; Ghielmetti and Giger, 2020 ). The increase in such cases suggests the possibility of a potential public health risk attributable to M. avium infection in dogs.…”

Mycobacterium avium infection associated with sterile polyarthritis in a dog

“…2012, Hobi et al . 2015, Ghielmetti & Giger 2020), while M. avium subspecies paratuberculosis and M. avium subspecies avium have been reported in dogs only occasionally (Miller et al . 1995, Armas et al .…”

The Mycobacterium avium complex – an underestimated threat to humans and animals

“…Pathogenesis and clinical signs in animals. MAC bacteria are also known to cause disease in many animal species, such as dogs [55], cats [56], pigs [42], cattle [57], horses [12] and birds [58]. MAC infections are rarely diagnosed in dogs,; however, the presence of the disease is generally regarded to be associated with immunodeficiency.…”

“…In such cases, the bird usually becomes sick first, and then acts as the main reservoir of bacteria. Mycobacterioses are a common problem in poultry as well as domestic birds [58,75]. The disease is rare in intensive poultry breeding due to improved breeding practices.…”