Accidental Mycobacterium bovis infection in a veterinarian

Authors: Collins DM, Gear AJ, Cooke MM, Naidoo A
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 50, Issue 1, pp 36-38, Feb 2002
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Human, Possum, Wildlife
Subject Terms: Bacterial, Contamination/hygiene, Diagnostic procedures, Trauma/injuries, Mycobacterial, Disease/defect, Public health, Zoonosis, Infectious disease
Article class: Clinical Communication

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Abstract: CASE: A veterinarian developed tenosynovitis and secondary carpal tunnel syndrome following accidental inoculation of Mycobacterium bovis during the necropsy of a tuberculous possum from Westland, New Zealand.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE: M. bovis infection is a zoonotic disease, and occupational exposure to tuberculous animals places people at risk of contracting the disease.
CONCLUSIONS: Adhering to safe work practices reviewed in this article is important to minimise the risk of infection to people handling tuberculous animals.
KEY WORDS: Human, Mycobacterium bovis, tuberculosis, tenosynovitis, possums, zoonosis.

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