Mycobacterium intracellulare Isolation from Equine Fetal Membranes

Mycobacterium sp. is classified as a zoonotic pathogen; the most recognizable of which are tuberculosis and leprosy. The most documented equine cases of Mycobacterium sp. infections present as granulomatous enteritis and colitis. The non-tuberculosis forms of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) result from a slow-growing bacillus that is ubiquitous in the environment. The postulated route of transmission of MAC from animal sources to humans is by inhalation, ingestion or the percutaneous route. MAC has been implicated as a cause of equine abortion; however, subspeciation was not performed in those cases. [...]