MYCOBACTERIUM BOVIS INFECTION IN HORSE AND MAN: A CASE OF CROSS-INFECTION

Abstract

A 9-year-old stallion was presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital Sokoto because of deep-seated ulcer of the skin on the left cheek. The lesion, which was circular, measuring about 4cm in diameter, involved the dermis, the sub-cutis and the underlying platysma and masticator muscle tissue of the cheek. It was an open wound, with firm suppurative granules suggestive ofa granuloma. Microscopic examination of the swab from the lesion using Zeihl-Neelsen technique showed acid fast bacilli. Nocardia was ruled out through bacterio- logical examination, while the use of nitrate and niacin tests suggested that the organism isolated through Lowenstein-Jensen Medium improved with pyruvate, to be Mycobacterium bovis. Following an administra- tion of purified protein derivation (PPD) to the horse boy, he reacted to it with an induration measuring 12mm in diameter. This case presents an insight into.the risk of transmission of tuberculosis between man and horse.