Mycobacteria cause three overlapping syndromes in cats: tuberculosis from members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, disease from environmental non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), and "feline leprosy" from fastidious organisms. The groups matter because they differ in treatment, prognosis and public health risk.
Key facts
Mycobacterial infections at a glance- Species and system: cat; skin, lymph nodes, lungs and other organs.
- Tuberculosis in cats: mainly M. bovis and M. microti. Cats are quite resistant to M. tuberculosis (MSD).
- NTM: M. avium complex (MAC) and rapidly growing species such as M. fortuitum.
- Feline leprosy: M. lepraemurium and related fastidious species.
- Presentation: non-healing nodules or sinuses on the skin, lymphadenopathy, sometimes pneumonia or weight loss.
- Zoonotic and notifiable: M. bovis infection is notifiable in some countries (ABCD).
What's inside
12 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prevention and public health
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 4 tables, 1 figure, 3 self-test questions and 7 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
The full guide is part of every NAVLE plan, with diagnosis and treatment tables, figures, a quick review and self-test questions. Start a free trial to try the question bank, or log in if you are already a member.