National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Veterinary Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services, United State Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA 50010, USA. Beth.N.Harris@aphis.usda.gov
Abstract:
Recent outbreaks of human tuberculosis in the United States caused by Mycobacterium bovis have implicated cheese originating in Mexico as a source of these infections. A total of 203 samples of cheese originating in Mexico were cultured, and M. bovis was recovered from one specimen. Therefore, M. bovis can be recovered from cheese and may be a source of human infections.