An Unusual Presentation of Mycobacterium avium spp. paratuberculosis Infection in a Captive Tundra Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus)

This report describes an unusual presentation of paratuberculosis in a captive, 4-year-old female tundra reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus). The gross and histological presentation was consistent with clinical paratuberculosis as previously reported for other ruminants, with poor body condition, subcutaneous oedema, granulomatous ileitis (multibacillary), mesenteric lymphadenitis and hepatitis. However, this animal also presented with unusual lung lesions, with necrosis and mineralization similar to that reported for Mycobacterium bovis in other wild and domestic ruminants. The presence of DNA of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in intestine and lung tissue (IS900, Hsp65) and PCR tests for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and other members of the M. avium complex were negative.