A CASE OF DISSEMINATED TUBERCULOSIS IN A DOG CAUSED BY MYCOBACTERIUM-AVIUM-INTRACELLULARE

A case of disseminated Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare infection in a dog is presented. Clinical findings included emaciation, unilateral anterior uveitis, and hepatosplenomegaly. Clinicopathological tests r evealed moderate nonregenerative anemia, hypoalbuminemia, proteinuria, and lowered urine specific gravity. A liver aspirate suggested pyogra nulomatous hepatitis of possible mycobacterial origin. Biopsies of liv er, spleen, and peritoneum revealed macrophages containing intracytopl asmic acid-fast rods. Diagnosis was confirmed by culture of urine and peritoneal fluid samples. Necropsy performed four months later reveale d focally disseminated to diffuse hepatitis, splenitis, peritonitis, l ymphadenitis, and osteomyelitis. Prior immunosuppression due to ehrlic hiosis may have precipitated secondary mycobacterial infection in this case.