Mycobacterium bovis Infection in Cats: Zoonotic Transmission

Abstract

Introduction: Tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis is an infectious disease of worldwide relevance, with a growingconcern for its zoonotic potential. Although cattle are the primary host, infections in companion animals have been reported,raising new public health concerns.Methods: Four cases of M. bovis infection in two cohabiting cats and two humans, one being the pet owner and the other aveterinarian, are analysed. Microbiological and molecular diagnostic techniques were employed, including culture, PCR, andgenotyping through spoligotyping.Results: The presence of M. bovis was confirmed in both felines, identifying the same spoligotype (SB0140). Subsequently, theinfection was documented in the pet owner, who had no history of contact with livestock, and in a veterinarian who sustained aneedlestick injury during sample collection.Conclusions: These findings highlight the risk of zoonotic tuberculosis originating from companion animals, even in the ab-sence of direct exposure to livestock. The results underscore the need to strengthen diagnostic and surveillance strategies innon-traditional species and emphasise the importance of adopting a comprehensive One Health approach to prevent and mitigatetransmission between animals and humans, particularly in regions where bovine tuberculosis is endemic.