Mycobacterium, Nocardia Flashcards
What is a common stain used to detect Mycobacterium in histologic preparations?
Ziehl-Nielsen- commonly used for acid-fast bacteria
How are Nocardia infections treated and prevented?
Treatment- drain or excise abcesses, antibiotics
Prevention- quarantine, disinfection, hygiene, prevent soil contamination
True or false:
Mycobacterium will stain using Diff-Quik
False. They will appear as negative space on the slide.
(Sorry, can’t find a good picture)
What general disease patterns do members of the genus Nocardia cause?
draining tracts, lesions, abcesses, effusion
What disease patterns do members of the genus Mycobacterium cause in ruminants?
tuberculosis, ileitis or Johne’s disease (wasting syndrome with diarrhea)
What is the antibiotic of choice for Nocardia infections?
Trimethoprim-sulfa
Others- tetracycline, macrolides, penicillins
What are some potential wildlife reservoirs of Mycobacterium?
Elk and deer
Wild badgers (in UK)
What is the antibiotic of choice to treat Mycobacterium infections?
Antibiotics are highly discouraged.
Treatment usually involves the surgical removal of the granulomas if possible.
What is the causative agent of Johne’s disease?
Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis (MAP)
True or false:
Nocardia is a normal member of the microflora in healthy animals.
False. It normally lives in soil.
How are Mycobacterium infections treated and prevented?
Treatment- surgical removal of nodules from companion animals, cull livestock
Prevention- quarantine and test new livestock, pasteurize colostrum or milk given to calves
How does tuberculosis generally manifest in animals?
They have widely disseminated, miliary granulomas visible on the skin and not visible in the internal organs.
The granulomas may become calcified with long-term infection
What disease pattern do members of the genus Mycobacterium cause in birds?
tuberculosis
What disease patterns do members of the genus Mycobacterium cause in dogs and cats?
tuberculosis, “leporsy,” “leproid syndrome”
What disease pattern does Nocardia cause in cows?
Mastitis
