Mycobacterium suricattae

Mycobacterium suricattae is a species of the tuberculosis complex of the genus Mycobacterium. It causes tuberculosis in meerkats, and was first identified from South African animals in 2013.^[1] Prior to this, it was considered to be synonymous with Mycobacterium bovis.^[2][3]

Mycobacterium suricattae
Scientific classification
Domain:	Bacteria
Kingdom:	Bacillati
Phylum:	Actinomycetota
Class:	Actinomycetia
Order:	Mycobacteriales
Family:	Mycobacteriaceae
Genus:	Mycobacterium
Species:	M. suricattae
Binomial name
Mycobacterium suricattae Parsons et al 2013[1]

Transmission and symptoms

M. suricattae is transmitted by respiratory particles, bites and allogrooming.^[4] In addition to the lungs, the spleen and liver may be infected, and submandibular lymph node swelling is a characteristic symptom.^[3] Lymph nodes may swell to the point of rupture, and infected animals almost invariably die within six months without intervention.^[4]