SYSTEMIC MYCOBACTERIUM-SMEGMATIS INFECTION IN A DOG

Rapidly growing atypical mycobacteria are ubiquitous saprophytes that cause infection when normal host defenses are disrupted. Systemic atypical mycobacteriosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis when granulomatous soft-tissue inflammation is identified, especially in the lungs, liver, or lymph nodes. Cytologic identification of acid-fast organisms associated with granulomatous inflammation is suggestive of mycobacteriosis, but bacteriologic culturing is necessary for definitive diagnosis and classification of the organism.