Isolation of Non-tuberculous mycobacteria from bovine raw lungs bought in butchers´ shops

JIMENA MARFIL; GARBACCIO, SERGIO; SOLEDAD BARANDIARAN; PABLO HUERTAS; MARCELA MARTINEZ VIVOT; EIRIN, MARIA EMILIA; ZUMÁRRAGA, MARTIN

FOODBORNE PATHOGENS AND DISEASE

MARY ANN LIEBERT INC

Año: 2021

1535-3141

Non-tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) can cause opportunistic disease in animals and humans, causing micobacteriosis. In this study, bovine lungs were collected from butchers´ shops and slaughterhouses after food official inspection from the metropolitan area of Buenos Aires. All samples were cultured and then identified by molecular methods. Twelve isolates of NTM were identified being the most prevalent Mycolicibacterium insubricum. This demonstrates that viable Mycobacteria can pass food inspection and contaminate surfaces and food, making manipulation of raw organs and feeding of animals with raw lungs a potential source of infection for pets and owners.