Mycobacterium suricattae | |
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Scientific classification
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Domain: | Bacteria |
Phylum: | Actinomycetota |
Class: | Actinomycetia |
Order: | Mycobacteriales |
Family: | Mycobacteriaceae |
Genus: | Mycobacterium |
Species: | M. suricattae
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Binomial name | |
Mycobacterium suricattae Parsons et al 2013
[1]
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Mycobacterium suricattae is a species of the tuberculosis complex of the genus Mycobacterium. It causes tuberculosis in meerkats, and was first identified from South African animals in 2013. [1] Prior to this, it was considered to be synonymous with Mycobacterium bovis. [2] [3]
M. suricattae is transmitted by respiratory particles, bites and allogrooming. [4] In addition to the lungs, the spleen and liver may be infected, and submandibular lymph node swelling is a characteristic symptom. [3] Lymph nodes may swell to the point of rupture, and infected animals almost invariably die within six months without intervention. [4]