[Swine infected with atypical mycobacteria].

Pigs spontaneously affected with tuberculosis responded with well expressed signs to avian tuberculin, and weakly to bovine tuberculin. Mycobacterium avium cultures of serotype--2 were isolated from 76.9% of them, and M. avium cultures of serotype -1-from 23.1% of them. The lymph nodes were enlarged, with granulated cross-section area of presenting multiple necroses, some of the latter being in a process of calcification, and some fully capsulated. Histologic changes were also observed characterized by peritrabecular oedemas, decrease in the lymph elements and proliferation consisting of reticular and epitheloid cells. Although rarely there were also tubercules with giant cells of Langerhans type. Pigs given orally Mycobacterium battey (intracellulare), M. fortuitum, M. aquae, M. vaccae, and M. smegmatis responded with an allergic reaction on the 30th day following infection. The skin reactions were better manifested with the use of avian tuberculin. The blood serum of such pigs contained CFT-positive antibodies that were specific for the Mycobacterium genus. The histopathologic changes in the lymph nodes were of proliferative and infiltrative character. Tubercules of giant cells and necroses with calcification were not established.