Diagnosis of Mycobacterial Infections in the Exotic Pet Patient with Emphasis on Birds

The term “mycobacteriosis” encompasses a variety of infectious diseases of animals caused by bacteria of the genus Mycobacterium. Mycobacteriosis is a chronic, debilitating disease and usually of systemic presentation. More than 35 species in the genus Mycobacterium can cause mycobacteriosis in exotic pets (see article by Mark D. Schrenzel elsewhere in this issue for further exploration of this topic). The wide range of possible clinical signs and physical exam findings in the exotic pet with mycobacteriosis can make the antemortem diagnosis inconsistent and challenging. Proper sample collection and test modality in relation to the state of the disease process are essential in confirming a diagnosis of mycobacteriosis (see article by Mark D. Schrenzel elsewhere in this issue for further exploration of this topic). Ultimately, clinicians can determine a presumptive diagnosis of mycobacteriosis based on history, clinical signs, imaging, hematology, serology, and other complementary ancillary tests. However, the definitive etiologic diagnosis of mycobacteriosis relies on the correct identification of the mycobacteria through its investigation by microbiological and molecular diagnostic methods. In this article, the clinical and etiologic diagnoses of mycobacteriosis in exotic pets are reviewed. As most data come from case reports and research conducted on birds, this group constitutes the