Putative transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection from a human to a dog

Abstract

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the most common species of the tuberculosis complex to be isolated from dogs and is typically transmitted from humans (reverse zoonosis). Clinical signs of M tuberculosis infection in dogs are often chronic and associated with the respiratory tract, but can vary depending on dissemination of the organism. Antemortem diagnosis of M tuberculosis infection can be challenging but can often be made via histopathologic and bacteriologic examinations. Treatment of an animal with a confirmed M tuberculosis infection is generally not recommended because of the potential for zoonosis, although natural transmission of tuberculosis from dogs to humans has not been reported.