Feline leprosy due to infection with novel mycobacterial species

An eleven-year-old, FIV-negative, castrated Persian cat was presented with multiple subcutaneous nodules. A provisional diagnosis of feline leprosy wa s made based on the presence of abundant bacilli within macrophages on Diff -Quik stained smears from aspirates of a nodule. The organism was identifie d subsequently as a novel species of mycobacterium using 16S rRNA PCR and d irect sequence analysis.:Effective treatment was achieved by surgically res ecting the largest lesions and using triple therapy with clofazimine, clari thromycin and ciprofloxacin. This report adds to the growing body of eviden ce that feline leprosy is a treatable clinical syndrome caused by potential ly pathogenic saprophytic mycobacteria including M. lepraemurium, M. avium and other as yet uncharacterised mycobacterial species.