Mycobacterium bovis versus Mycobacterium tuberculosis as a cause of acute cervical lymphadenitis without pulmonary disease

Bovine tuberculosis remains a common disease of cattle in countries such as Mexico. Children eating unpasteurized dairy products from Mexican cattle can develop Mycobacterium bovis cervical lymphadenitis. However, the bovine mycobacterium can be misdiagnosed as Mycobacterium tuberculosis based on standard laboratory testing. Accurate speciation is important for selection of the preferred antibiotic regimen for treatment of Mycobacterium bovis infection.