Identification and drug resistance profiling of <i>Mycobacterium orygis</i> from an African elephant using whole-genome sequencing.
Microbiology spectrum·
- DOI
- 10.1128/spectrum.03586-25
- PMID
- 42095653
- PMCID
- PMC13228038
- OpenAlex
- W7160498394
- Study type
- Genomic study
- Publisher
- Publisher unavailable
- Article type
- journal-article
- Integrity
- current
Why this research matters now
Documenting this rare tuberculosis complex variant in a captive species highlights the necessity for refined diagnostic protocols and precise antimicrobial testing. The authors propose that coordinated monitoring of affected wildlife facilities and associated personnel may help limit potential cross-species spread.
Structured evidence summary
Research question
This laboratory investigation sought to identify the specific pathogen causing a mycobacterial infection in a deceased captive elephant and to evaluate its antibiotic susceptibility using advanced genomic techniques.
Study design
The researchers employed a case-based analytical framework, processing a single lung tissue specimen through bacterial culture, rapid antigen testing, and comprehensive DNA sequencing.
Population and setting
The study material consisted of a post-mortem lung biopsy collected from an adult female African elephant kept under human care.
Main findings
Computational sequencing tools assigned the pathogen to the Mycobacterium orygis La3 clade and revealed a genetic alteration linked to isoniazid tolerance, while other standard medications remained effective. These molecular results matched traditional laboratory susceptibility tests and mark the initial recorded instance of this organism in a managed elephant population.
Public-health relevance
Documenting this rare tuberculosis complex variant in a captive species highlights the necessity for refined diagnostic protocols and precise antimicrobial testing. The authors propose that coordinated monitoring of affected wildlife facilities and associated personnel may help limit potential cross-species spread.
Important limitations
Standard diagnostic assays frequently lack the resolution required to distinguish closely related tuberculosis complex members. Furthermore, the analysis relies exclusively on one clinical sample rather than a larger comparative dataset.
GIDS interpretation
This manuscript adds to the expanding catalog of atypical mycobacterial infections observed in non-human populations. The provided genomic sequences and resistance markers establish a reference point that could facilitate future taxonomic verification and epidemiological tracking in veterinary settings.
Related GIDS surveillance
Literature context does not validate, explain, or change a surveillance signal. Exact and contextual relationships are shown separately.
Evidence relationships
This article has 13 auditable classifier relationships to diseases, places, topics, and study design.