Tuberculosis of the parotid salivary gland in a kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros

Abstract

Tuberculosis is a bacterial disease which has a worldwide distribution and affects most animal and bird species. In the eastern Cape this disease has been known to affect the kudu since the turn of the century. Pre-existing lesions on the ears become infected with mycobacteria which causes swelling of the parotid gland and lymph nodes draining the area. In this article a case of tuberculosis is described affecting the parotid salivary gland and surrounding pre-auricular lymph nodes. The importance of tracing these lesions is stressed in order to prevent infection of people consuming the meat.