Mycobacterium bovis Tuberculosis in a child in the commune no 8, Buenos Aires City

Abstract

Bovine tuberculosis is a contagious infectious disease produced by Mycobacterium bovis, which together with other mycobacteria makes up the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. Its prevention lies in detection of the infection in cattle and milk pasteurization. Man has traditionally acquired the disease through contact with livestock, in the context of an occupational zoonosis, or through consumption of unpasteurized dairy products. We describe the case of a 10-year-old male patient, without activities related to animals, that presents a form of pulmonary tuberculosis due to M. bovis, clinically and radiologically indistinguishable from human tuberculosis. The importance of the disease detection, the food sanitary control, and the first level of attention, with respect to the recognition of the disease and its prevention in the population, is highlighted.