Subcutaneous atypical mycobacteriosis in captive tiger quolls (Dasyurus maculatus)

From July 1989 to October 1998, 9/37 (24%) adult captive tiger quells (Dasyurus maculatus) were diagnosed with atypical mycobacterial infection involving the subcutis and skin. Females were more often affected than males (seven females, two males). Grossly, lesions presented as focal thickenings, plaques, and abscesses within the subcutis, often with fistulous tracts. The subcutis and skin overlying cervical and thoracic regions were the primary sites of infection. Cytology of subcutaneous impression smears from all nine affected tiger quells revealed pyogranulomatous inflammation admired with several acid-fast bacilli. Histologically, all tiger quells had nodular to diffuse pyogranulomatous panniculitis and cellulitis. Small numbers of acid-fast bacilli were noted histologically in 7/9 (78%) animals. Skin cultures from seven tiger quells were positive for one or more different Runyon group IV mycobacteria. The disease described in these tiger quells is similar to subcutaneous atypical mycobacteriosis of humans and domestic animals.