The organism that causes tuberculosis in meerkats (Suricata suricatta) has been poorly characterized. Our genetic analysis showed it to be a novel member of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and closely related to the dassie bacillus. We have named this epidemiologically and genetically unique strain M. suricattae.
Keywords: Mycobacterium suricattae; South Africa; meerkat; suricate; tuberculosis; tuberculosis and other mycobacteria.