Which Mycobacterium species, associated with tuberculosis in cattle, also causes tuberculosis in humans?

Mycobacterium bovis is the species associated with tuberculosis in cattle and is also capable of causing tuberculosis in humans. This organism is part of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, which includes several species that can infect both animals and humans. M. bovis primarily infects cattle but can be transmitted to humans through consumption of unpasteurized dairy products or through direct contact with infected animals.

The transmission from cattle to humans is a significant concern in areas where cattle are not routinely tested for tuberculosis, and it highlights the zoonotic potential of this bacterium. M. bovis can manifest in a manner similar to that of M. tuberculosis, the primary causative agent of human tuberculosis.

In contrast, Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex primarily affects individuals with compromised immune systems and is not directly associated with bovine tuberculosis. Mycobacterium kansasii and Mycobacterium marinum are also not linked to cattle and are known to cause infections in humans under different circumstances, but they do not have the same zoonotic connection to tuberculosis in cattle as M. bovis does. Thus, M. bovis stands out due to its dual role in affecting both cattle and humans.