Human and canine pulmonary Mycobacterium bovis infection in the same household: re-emergence of an old zoonotic threat?

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB), caused by Mycobacterium bovis, remains a serious animal health problem in the UK, despite longstanding statutory surveillance and control measures. Endemic infection in the Eurasian badger population is thought to complicate bTB eradication efforts. Sporadic cases of M bovis infection have also been reported in domestic animals other than cattle. Human M bovis infection is extremely rare in the native UK population in the absence of unpasteurised milk consumption or residence abroad. Here, pulmonary TB infection in a UK born female and her pet dog is described, caused by an identical strain of M bovis. Latent TB infection was also identified in a household contact. The potential routes of infection and implications of this case are discussed.