Penile Tuberculosis in a Bull

Abstract

We describe a case of penile tuberculosis in a bull. The prepuce was thickened, firm and pale with multifocal to coalescent caseous nodules, and the inguinal and mesenteric lymph nodes were moderately enlarged. Lesions in the prepuce, penis and lymph nodes were characterized by multifocal to coalescent areas of caseous necrosis and marked granulomatous inflammation. Acid-fast bacilli were seen within necrotic foci and Langhans giant cells. Mycobacteriumtuberculosis var. bovis was identified in inguinal lymph nodes by the polymerase chain reaction technique and by bacterial isolation. Although rare, tuberculosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of granulomatous lesions in the genital tract of bulls.

Keywords: Mycobacterium tuberculosis var. bovis; penis; prepuce; tuberculous balanoposthitis.