Mycobacterium microti is a member of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) known as the 'Vole bacillus', first described as a pathogen of field voles in England.[1]
Wild boars play an active role in maintaining Mycobacterium microti in the environment, but it’s also been isolated from other mammalian species, including field mice (Microtus agrestis), wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus), bank voles (Cletherinomys glareolus), and shrews (Sorex araneus). It can also be found in livestock and domestic animals, such as llamas, cats, pigs, cows, and dogs. [2][3][4][5]
Variable colony morphology, buff in colour, either rough or smooth.
Physiology
Slow growth on glycerol-free egg media at 37°C often requiring incubation for 28–60 days. May adapt tolerance to glycerol. May fail to grow in liquid media.
Commercially available nucleic acid hybridisation assays are widely used to identify members of the M. tuberculosis complex..
Differentiation between individual members of the M tuberculosis complex is possible using a variety of molecular techniques, and individual strains within a species may be further distinguished using a variety of molecular typing methods.
Pathogenesis
Cause of naturally acquired generalized tuberculosis in voles and other mammals, including cats and new world camelids such as llamas. Human infections are rare, but do occur in both immunocompromised and apparently immunocompetent patients.[6][7]
↑ Boniotti, M. B., Gaffuri, A., Gelmetti, D., Tagliabue, S., Chiari, M., Mangeli, A., Spisani, M., Nassuato, C., Gibelli, L., Sacchi, C., Zanoni, M., & Pacciarini, M. L. (2014). Detection and Molecular Characterization of Mycobacterium microti Isolates in Wild Boar from Northern Italy. Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 52(8), 2991–3002. https://doi.org/10.1128/jcm.00440-14.
↑ Cavanagh, R., Begon, M., Bennett, M., Ergon, T., Graham, I. M., de Haas, P. E. W., Hart, C. A., Koedam, M., Kremer, K., Lambin, X., Roholl, P., & van Soolingen, D. (2002). Mycobacterium microti Infection (Vole Tuberculosis) in Wild Rodent Populations. Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 40(9), 3281–3285. https://doi.org/10.1128/jcm.40.9.3281-3285.2002.
↑ Deforges, L., Boulouis, H. J., Thibaud, J. L., Boulouha, L., Sougakoff, W., Blot, S., Hewinson, G., Truffot-Pernot, C., & Haddad, N. (2004). First isolation of Mycobacterium microti (Llama-type) from a dog. Veterinary Microbiology, 103(3-4), 249-253.
↑ Tagliapietra, V., Boniotti, M. B., Mangeli, A., Karaman, I., Alborali, G., Chiari, M., D'Incau, M., Zanoni, M., Rizzoli, A., & Pacciarini, M. L. (2021). Mycobacterium microti at the Environment and Wildlife Interface. Microorganisms, 9(10), 2084. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9102084
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