144. Actinobacilloses of ruminants.

Question 1

Aetiology and epidemiology of Actinobacilloses?

Answer 1

Chronic pyogranulomatic inflammation of soft tissues, “timber tongue”

Occurrence:

• worldwide,
• widespread,
• sporadic
• Live on MM of upper resp tract/GI tract

Aetiology:

• A. lignieresii

Epidemiology:

• Cattle, ruminants, sometimes other species (sus, eq, ca)
• Chronic infection, Slow progress
• Dry, rough feed can predispose

Question 2

Pathogenesis?

Answer 2

Pathogenesis:

• Infection (enter tissues through erosions): PO, wound – localised pyogranulomatous responses
• Exudates, neutrophil granulocytes, suppuration
• Lymphocyte, histiocyte layer, „sulphur granules”
• Lymphoid cells can transport
• Complication with pyogenic bacteria
• Proliferation of connective tissue

Question 3

Clinical signs?

Answer 3

Clinical signs: affects soft tissues (esp. oral mucosa)

• Induration of the tongue, (wooden tongue, timber tongue)
• Lesions in soft tissues, granules, abscesses, fistula
• Salivation, difficulty in eating & swallowing

Question 4

Pathology?

Answer 4

Pathology

• Induration of the tongue, Abscesses
• Lesions in lymph nodes (retropharyngeal)

Question 5

Diagnosis?

Answer 5

Diagnosis

• Epidemiology - clinical signs
• Histology
• Detection of the agent

o Microscopic examination of smears

o Isolation of the agent (blood agar needed)

• Detection of antibodies: agglutination

Question 6

Differential diagnosis?

Answer 6

Differential diagnosis:

• diseases with salivation (e.g. rabies)

Question 7

Treatment?

Answer 7

Treatment

• Animals should be isolated,
• Surgery, local treatment, disinfection (Lugol)
• Antibiotic treatment: Potentiated sulphonamides, Penicillin + streptomycin, cephalosporins, tetracycline,

florphenicol

Question 8

Prevention?

Answer 8

Prevention:

• prevention of wounds,
• rough feed or pasture which may damage the oral mucosa should be avoided