Mycobacterium microti

Mycobacterium microti typically causes disease in voles, wood mice, and shrews. Tuberculosis in the wild vole, or field mouse, was discovered by Wells in 1937, and this epizootic disease was found to be rather common among these animals in the United Kingdom, with a prevalence ranging from 9 to 31%.

Cause of naturally acquired generalized tuberculosis in voles and other mammals, including cats and new world camelids such as llamas. Human infections are rare, but do occur in both immunocompromised and apparently immunocompetent patients.

Mycobacterium microti is a member of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC), which also includes M. tuberculosis and M. bovis, the main causes of human and animal tuberculosis (TB), respectively.

Even though voles and other wild small rodents were initially identified as its natural hosts, M. microti can cause pathology in a wide range of mammals, including pets, livestock, wildlife, and humans.

M. microti has been used in extensive trials to assess its efficacy and safety as a vaccine. Percutaneously administered M. microti vaccine was found to be safe but no more effective than M. bovis BCG.
Mycobacterium microti