Novel Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex Pathogen, M. mungi

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Volume 16, Number 8–August 2010
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Novel Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex Pathogen, M. mungi
Kathleen A. Alexander , Pete N. Laver, Anita L. Michel, Mark Williams, Paul D. van Helden, Robin M. Warren, and Nicolaas C. Gey van Pittius
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA (K.A. Alexander, P.N. Laver); Centre for Conservation of African Resources: Animals, Communities and Land Use, Kasane, Botswana (K.A. Alexander, P.N. Laver); ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Pretoria, South Africa (A.L. Michel); University of Pretoria, Pretoria (A.L. Michel, M. Williams); and Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa (P.D. van Helden, R.M. Warren, N.C. Gey van Pittius)

Suggested citation for this article

Abstract
Seven outbreaks involving increasing numbers of banded mongoose troops and high death rates have been documented. We identified a Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex pathogen, M. mungi sp. nov., as the causative agent among banded mongooses that live near humans in Chobe District, Botswana. Host spectrum and transmission dynamics remain unknown.

A previously unidentified Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex pathogen has emerged in banded mongooses (Mungos mungo) in Botswana; we named the pathogen mongoose bacillus, or M. mungi sp. nov. This pathogen causes high mortality rates among banded mongooses that live in close association with humans because these animals live in human-made structures and scavenge human waste, including feces.

Banded mongooses are social, fossorial, viverids that feed on invertebrates and small mammals including subterranean species (1). We initially identified tuberculosis (TB) disease in banded mongooses in 2000. The outbreak appeared to spread as a point-source infection between mongoose troops living in close association with humans and human waste; infection spread through towns and the associated national park (2). During 2000–2010, a total of 7 outbreaks occurred (increasing in duration), mongoose troop involvement increased, and the spatial and temporal connection between cases decreased. Infected mongoose troops are now widely identified across the landscape, including protected areas and urban centers (Figure 1), and high mortality rates threaten the survival of smaller troops. In this study area of Chobe District, Botswana, TB has been identified in only humans and mongooses. Strain assessment of human TB has not been conducted; the full host spectrum and transmission dynamics of this pathogen, currently unknown, are the focus of our ongoing research.

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Suggested Citation for this Article
Alexander KA, Laver PN, Michel AL, Williams M, van Helden PD, Warren RM, et al. Novel Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex pathogen, M. mungi. Emerg Infect Dis [serial on the Internet]. 2010 Aug [date cited].
http://www.cdc.gov/EID/content/16/8/1296.htm

DOI: 10.3201/eid1608.100314