Mycobacterial infection in cats, lepra and clinical case reports

Abstract

Feline mycobacteriosis is characterised by a dermal lesion called leproid granuloma. Currently, it includes an aetiological spectrum of various mycobacteria, the most frequent being Mycobacterium lepraemurium. Another related species is M. lepraefelis, which shows genomic similarities to M. leprae and M. lepromatosis, both of which produce leprosy in humans. Although M. lepraefelis is not considered zoonotic today, it is important to be alert to the fact that other mycobacteria present in cats may pose a public health risk, so we must be aware of the possible presence of these mycobacteria, and it is important to know and properly diagnose the processes in cats. Feline leprosy can be an indicator of the presence of mycobacteria in an area and is therefore relevant for epidemiological surveillance. Diagnosis of feline mycobacterioses, especially lepromatous mycobacterioses, can be challenging due to their non-specific symptomatology and the difficult culture of these mycobacteria in cats, requiring diagnosis by the application of genetic techniques (PCR) to identify the different species of leprosy mycobacteria in cats. In addition, some cats may be asymptomatic carriers, complicating detection and prevention of disease spread. The exact prevalence of feline mycobacteriosis and feline leprosy is not precisely known due to the lack of comprehensive studies. However, the incidence of these diseases seems to be increasing, which highlights the importance of further research and awareness of these infections in veterinary and public health. In conclusion, mycobacteriosis of cats and especially feline leprosy are infectious diseases affecting cats and are caused by different species of mycobacteria. While 'Candidatus M. lepraefelis' does not pose a direct risk to humans, other mycobacteria can be zoonotic and transmitted to humans. Proper understanding and surveillance of these diseases is crucial to control their spread and protect both animals and public health.