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Mycobacterium avium
Synonym(s): M. avium
Introduction
Classification
Taxonomy
- Order: Actinomycetales
- Family: Mycobacteriaceae
- Genus: Mycobacterium
- Species: avium
Etymology
- Gr: myces- fungus; bakterion - a small rod.
- Non-tubercle forming mycobacteria.
Distribution
- Worldwide distribution.
- Ubiquitous in soil and water depending on conditions (acidic swamp areas, coastal plains).
- Can survive for up to 4 years outside host (usually in soil). This is in contrast to M. tuberculosis Mycobacterium tuberculosis or M. bovis which will only survive for months in the environment.
- Pigs and birds are susceptible to M. avium and may act as reservoirs of infection.
- Feces of infected birds contain large numbers of bacilli and infection of dogs is thought to occur from ingestion of meat or contact with infected soil or fomites contaminated by poultry carcasses or feces.
Significance
- Overlap with M. intracellulare has given rise to the Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), a group of slow-growing, atypical mycobacteria.
- Opportunistic saprophytic, aerobic, non-spore forming bacillus mycobacteria.
- Occurs as granuloma producing pathogen.
- Miniature Schnauzer Schnauzer: miniature and Basset Hound Basset Hound appear to have a higher incidence of M.avium infections.
Active Forms
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Resting Forms
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Clinical Effects
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Diagnosis
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Further Reading
Publications
Refereed papers
- Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
- Biet F, Boschiroli M L, Thorel M F et al (2005) Zoonotic aspects of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex (MAC). Vet Res 36 (3), 411-436 PubMed.
- O'Toole D, Tharp S, Thomsen B V et al (2005) Fatal mycobacteriosis with hepatosplenomegaly in a young dog due to Mycobacterium avium. J Vet Diag Invest 17 (2), 200-204 PubMed.
- Eggers J S, Parker G A, Braaf H A et al (1997) Disseminated Mycobacterium avium infection in three miniature schnauzer litter mates. J Vet Diag Invest 9 (4), 424-427 PubMed.