Chenoweth Kelly, Laster Carey, Barua Subarna, Wang Chengming
Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA.
Thompson Bishop Sparks State Diagnostic Laboratory, Auburn, AL 36849, USA.
Int J Mol Sci. 2025 Aug 5;26(15):7555. doi: 10.3390/ijms26157555.
subsp. (MAH) is a zoonotic pathogen with a broad host range and diverse clinical manifestations. We report here the first documented case of MAH-induced fatal vasculitis in zebra finch (). Histopathological examination revealed acid-fast bacilli within macrophages and endothelial cells, primarily affecting the heart and aorta. Mycobacterial DNA was detected in cloacal swabs from affected finches and environmental samples from their housing facility. PCR targeting the gene and insertion elements IS1245 and IS901, followed by sequencing, confirmed MAH infection. MAH DNA was identified in 4 of 13 finch cloacal swabs and 7 of 28 environmental samples. This study describes a novel, highly pathogenic manifestation of MAH in birds and underscores the potential for avian involvement in environmental and zoonotic transmission.
亚种（MAH）是一种具有广泛宿主范围和多样临床表现的人畜共患病原体。我们在此报告首例有记录的斑马雀因MAH感染导致的致命性血管炎病例（）。组织病理学检查显示巨噬细胞和内皮细胞内存在抗酸杆菌，主要累及心脏和主动脉。在患病雀的泄殖腔拭子及其饲养设施的环境样本中检测到了分枝杆菌DNA。针对基因以及插入元件IS1245和IS901进行PCR，随后测序，证实了MAH感染。在13份雀泄殖腔拭子中的4份以及28份环境样本中的7份中鉴定出了MAH DNA。本研究描述了MAH在鸟类中的一种新的、高致病性表现，并强调了鸟类参与环境和人畜共患病传播的可能性。
