Mycobacterium caprae

Mycobacterium caprae is a species of the Mycobacterium genus, which is part of the complex group of bacteria known as the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC). This group also includes other significant pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis (the causative agent of most human tuberculosis (TB)) and Mycobacterium bovis (primarily affecting cattle but also capable of infecting humans). M. caprae, as its name suggests (caprae being derived from Latin for goat), was initially isolated from goats, indicating its primary host. However, it has since been identified in a range of domestic and wild animals, including cattle, deer, and wild boar, and it can also cause tuberculosis in humans.

Characteristics

M. caprae is a slow-growing, acid-fast bacterium, sharing many phenotypic and genotypic characteristics with other members of the MTBC. It is non-motile and non-spore-forming. The bacterium requires oxygen to grow and produces colonies that are usually visible after 2-4 weeks of incubation at 37°C on culture media. Its cell wall contains a high lipid content, which is characteristic of mycobacteria, contributing to its acid-fastness and resistance to many common antibiotics.

Epidemiology

The distribution of M. caprae is primarily in Europe, with cases also reported in Africa and Asia. It is less common than M. bovis and M. tuberculosis in causing tuberculosis in animals and humans. Infection in humans is typically associated with direct contact with infected animals or consumption of unpasteurized dairy products from infected animals. The risk of transmission to humans is considered lower than that of M. bovis, but it remains a public health concern, especially for individuals working in close contact with livestock.

Clinical Significance

In animals, M. caprae causes tuberculosis, which can lead to significant economic losses in the agriculture sector due to decreased productivity of infected animals and the need for culling infected herds. In humans, the disease presents similarly to tuberculosis caused by M. tuberculosis, with symptoms including chronic cough, weight loss, fever, and night sweats. Diagnosis is based on microbiological culture, molecular assays, and histopathological examination. Treatment involves a lengthy course of multiple antibiotics, similar to the treatment for M. tuberculosis.

Prevention and Control

Control measures for M. caprae in animals include surveillance, testing, and culling of infected animals. Pasteurization of dairy products is an effective method to prevent transmission from animals to humans. For individuals at high risk of exposure, wearing protective clothing and practicing good hygiene when handling animals or animal products can reduce the risk of infection.

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