Pyometra in a sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps): surgical treatment and postoperative complications.

A 7-year-old female sugar glider showed a well-defined, homogeneous, hypoechoic mass in the caudal abdominal cavity on ultrasound. Exploratory laparotomy revealed both uteri were severely dilated by viscous, purulent exudate. The patient underwent ovariohysterectomy with removal of bilateral vaginal canals. Antibiotic therapy was initiated postoperatively. Histopathological findings were consistent with suppurative metritis, leading to a clinical diagnosis of pyometra. Despite abscess formation in the uterine stump or central vaginal canal and bilateral renal pelvic/ureter dilations postoperatively, the sugar glider survived more than 270 days. Unfortunately, surgical and medical treatments performed in this case did not prove curative. The outcome of this case highlights the importance of further accumulation of cases to define more appropriate therapies for pyometra in sugar gliders.

Pyometra Associated With Staphylococcus Pseudintermedius in Two Bitches.

Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is a commensal bacterium residing on the mucosae and skin surfaces of dogs. Under favorable conditions, the organism may cause serious infections, primarily involving the skin, but it is also isolated in eye and ear infections. This report describes pathologic findings of pyometra associated with S pseudintermedius in two bitches. One bitch was a 6-year-old Pomeranian bitch who died after three days of diarrhea, vomiting, and depression. During necropsy, the uterus of the bitch was diffusely enlarged and filled with 30 mL of thick, yellow, creamy pus. Histology revealed acute to subacute, diffuse, severe, purulent endometritis with intralesional Gram-positive round cocci revealed as S pseudintermedius. The cause of death was pyometra with subsequent septic shock. The other bitch was a 2-year-old West Highland White Terrier who underwent diagnostic laparotomy due to suppurative peritonitis of unknown cause. During the procedure, about 100 mL of yellow, opaque exudate from the abdominal cavity was removed. The distended uterine horns noted during the procedure were removed and submitted for histopathology which revealed necrosis of endometrium with the accumulation of pus and numerous, intralesional S pseudintermedius in the uterine lumen. Focally, uterine wall necrosis was evident, with a spread of bacteria and purulent inflammation into the adjacent mesometrium causing purulent peritonitis. Although S pseudintermedius presents a common cause of skin and mucosal infection, it should be considered a possible etiological agent of canine pyometra.

Clinical and morphological justification of the treatment of purulonecrotic lesion in deep structures of limb distal segment in pig: case report / [Justificativa clínica e morfológica do tratamento de lesão purulonecrótica em estruturas profundas do segmento distal de membros em porco: relato de caso]

Surgical pathology of the musculoskeletal system, and in particular the diseases of the limb distal segment in pigs are quite common. Their significant spread leads to economic losses due to culling, compulsory slaughter, short-received pig production and pig crop. The purpose of this work was to reveal clinical and morphological features of limb distal segment diseases in pigs and to study the possibility of preserving their health and productivity. The conservative treatment of purulonecrotic lesions in the deep structures of the limb distal segment in pigs is not promising. It is shown that the best way to treat a given pathology is amputation of a sick limb. The technique of carrying out exarticulation of talus shin consists in separation of soft tissues, capsule and ligaments, ligation of vessels, formation of stump. The postoperative recovery period of the animal body is 25 days.(AU)

A patologia cirúrgica do sistema musculoesquelético e, em particular, as doenças do segmento distal dos membros em suínos são bastante comuns. A sua propagação significativa leva a perdas econômicas devido ao abate seletivo, abate obrigatório, produção de suínos pouco recebida e colheita de suínos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi revelar características clínicas e morfológicas das doenças do segmento distal de membros em suínos e estudar a possibilidade de preservar sua saúde e produtividade. O tratamento conservador das lesões purulonecróticas nas estruturas profundas do segmento distal do membro em porcos não é promissor. Fica estabelecido que a melhor forma de tratar uma determinada patologia é a amputação de um membro doente. A técnica de realizar a exarticulação da canela do talos consiste na separação dos tecidos moles, cápsula e ligamentos, ligadura dos vasos, formação do coto. O período de recuperação pós-operatória do corpo do animal é de 25 dias.(AU)

Pathology Associated With Streptococcus spp. Infection in Baboons (Papio spp.).

Streptococcus spp. are a source of morbidity and mortality in captive nonhuman primate populations. However, little is known about the lesions associated with naturally occurring streptococcal infections in baboons (Papio spp.). The pathology database of the Southwest National Primate Research Center was searched for all baboon autopsies from 1988 to 2018 in which Streptococcus spp. were cultured. Baboons on experimental protocol were excluded. The gross autopsy and histopathology reports were reviewed. Archived specimens were retrieved and reviewed as needed for confirmation or clarification. Fifty-six cultures were positive for Streptococcus spp. in 54 baboons with evidence of bacterial infection. Associated gross lesions included purulent exudate, fibrinous to fibrous adhesions, hemorrhage, mucosal thickening, organomegaly, and abscessation. Histologic lesions included suppurative inflammation, abscessation, necrosis, hemorrhage, fibrin accumulation, and thrombosis. Lungs and pleura (n = 31) were the most commonly infected organ followed by the central nervous system (n = 16), spleen (n = 15), soft tissues (n = 12), air sacs, liver, peritoneum, adrenal glands, heart, lymph nodes, uterus, kidneys, biliary system, bones, ears, umbilical structures, mammary glands, pancreas, placenta, and salivary glands. Infections by non-ß-hemolytic Streptococcus spp. predominated in the lungs and air sacs; the most common isolate was Streptococcus pneumoniae. Infections by ß-hemolytic Streptococcus spp. predominated in the soft tissues and reproductive tract. Naturally occurring ß-hemolytic and non-ß-hemolytic Streptococcus spp. infections cause morbidity and mortality in captive baboon populations. The lesions associated with streptococcal infection are similar to those reported in human infection. Thus, the baboon may represent an underutilized model for studying Streptococcus spp. as pathogens.

Supposed endogenous endophthalmitis caused by Serratia marcescens in a cat.

An 8-year-old male neutered domestic shorthair cat was presented for evaluation of acute respiratory distress. Respiratory auscultation revealed a diffuse and symmetric increase in bronchovesicular sounds. Thoracic radiographs showed a diffuse unstructured interstitial pulmonary pattern with multifocal alveolar foci. Despite an aggressive treatment with supportive care, including oxygenotherapy and systemic antibiotics, progressive respiratory distress increased. Three days after the presentation, acute anterior uveitis was noticed on left eye. Ophthalmic examination and ocular ultrasonography revealed unilateral panuveitis with ocular hypertension. The right eye examination was unremarkable. Cytological examination of aqueous humor revealed a suppurative inflammation. Serratia marcescens was identified from aqueous humor culture. Primary pulmonary infection was suspected but was not confirmed as owners declined bronchoalveolar lavage. Active uveitis resolved and cat's pulmonary status improved after appropriate systemic antibacterial therapy. Vision loss was permanent due to secondary mature cataract. To the best of authors' knowledge, this is the first report of endogenous bacterial endophthalmitis secondary to S. marcescens infection in a cat.

Risk factors associated with reproductive performance in Japanese dairy cows: Vaginal discharge with flecks of pus or calving abnormality extend time to pregnancy.

The present study aimed to determine possible risk factors affecting reproductive performance, especially time taken to establish pregnancy in dairy cows, using Cox's proportional hazard model. The data were collected from 154 Holstein Friesian cows (199 lactations). Cows diagnosed with a vaginal discharge score (VDS) of one or calving abnormality showed significantly delayed pregnancy: hazard ratio (HR)=0.654 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.436-0.983; P=0.041) and HR=0.457 (95% CI: 0.270-0.774; P=0.004), respectively. Our study suggested that the occurrence of VDS of one or calving abnormality might be possible risk factors increasing the number of days open and affecting reproductive performance in dairy cows.

Prejuízo econômico por abscessos vacinais retirados de carcaças de bovinos em um frigorífico sob serviço de inspeção federal em Minas Gerais

Abscessos são formações purulentas que surgem principalmente na região do pescoço das meias carcaças de bovinos em decorrência de reações vacinais. Essas lesões e possíveis partes contaminadas com pus são removidas durante a inspeção post mortem, de acordo com o Regulamento de Inspeção Industrial e Sanitária de Produtos de Origem Animal (RIISPOA), durante o processo de abate e são condenadas. A remoção do abscesso causa perda de porção cárnea, levando a uma redução do peso final da carcaça e consequente prejuízo econômico. Cuidados com o manejo vacinal são importantes para evitar o surgimento desses abscessos. O objetivo do presente estudo foi quantificar as meias carcaças com abscessos vacinais e avaliar o prejuízo econômico proveniente da excisão das partes cárneas contendo as lesões. O presente estudo foi realizado durante um mês em um frigorífico sob Serviço de Inspeção Federal localizado em Minas Gerais. Foram coletados os abscessos retirados pelo agente de inspeção das 100 primeiras carcaças de bovinos abatidos no dia, o que totalizou uma amostra de 20% da média abatida no mês. As carcaças com abscessos foram quantificadas e as partes excisadas foram pesadas diariamente e, no final do período, foi verificado o valor do prejuízo em arrobas. De um total de 2.000 carcaças inspecionadas e avaliadas para fim do estudo, 865 (43,25%) apresentaram um ou mais abscessos vacinais, resultando em um prejuízo de 237,100 kg removidos das carcaças, correspondendo a 0,274 kg por animal lesionado. O valor da perda no final do período de coleta foi de R$ 2.181,37 reais, o que leva a um decréscimo de R$ 2,52 reais por animal. A constatação de significativo prejuízo econômico decorrente da presença de abscessos vacinais nas carcaças inspecionadas demonstra a necessidade de se refletir sobre o manejo vacinal dos animais provenientes da região bem como a qualidade da vacina, com objetivo de diminuir a frequência dessas lesões, evitando assim que o...

Abscesses are purulent formations that appear mostly in the neck of bovine half-carcasses due to vaccine reactions. Such lesions and possibly pus-infected parts are removed during the post-mortem inspection service, in compliance with the Regulations of Industrial and Sanitary Inspection of Products of Animal Origin (RIISPOA, acronym in Portuguese), during lhe slaughtering process, and the procedure is condemned. The removal of the abscesses causes loss of meat, leading to a reduction of the final weight of the carcass and consequent economical losses. Safe animal management practices are important to avoid the occurrence of lesions. The aim of this study was to quantify the carcasses with vaccine abscesses and to assess the economic losses from the excision of the parts containing lesions. The present study was carried out over the course of one month in a slaughterhouse in Minas Gerais, under federal inspection. Abscesses were collected by the inspection agents from the first hundred bovine carcasses slaughtered each day, which, at the end of the study, was equivalent to 20% of the monthly slaughter average. The carcasses with abscesses were quantified, the excised parts were weighed daily and, at the end of the period, the loss values were verified in arrobas (one arroba is equivalent to 15 kilos). Out of a total of 2,000 carcasses inspected and evaluated for the purpose of this study, 865 (43,25%) registered one or more vaccine abscesses, resulting in a loss of 237.1 kg removed from the carcasses, corresponding to 0.274 kg per damaged animal. The final value of the losses was R$ 2,181.37, representing a decrease of R$ 2.52 per animal. The verification of significant economical losses due to the presence of abscesses in the inspected carcasses demonstrates the need for consideration about vaccination handling, as well as the quality of the vaccine, with the goal of reducing the frequency of such lesions, avoiding thus, with the procedure...

Necrotizing interstitial pneumonia and suppurative myocarditis associated with Bartonella henselae infection in three Florida pumas.

Three Florida pumas ( Puma concolor coryi) that had spent time in captivity prior to being released in the wild were found exhibiting respiratory signs and reluctance to move. All 3 pumas died shortly after immobilization, despite supportive veterinary care. Significant autopsy findings included necrotizing interstitial pneumonia, with pulmonary edema and hyaline membranes, and suppurative myocarditis. Organisms morphologically consistent with Bartonella henselae were identified in intravascular histiocytes in the lung of one of the pumas on histopathology and confirmed via transmission electron microscopy. B. henselae was detected in fresh lung tissue and confirmed by PCR and sequence analysis (16S-23S spacer region, pap31, and rpoB genes) from one of the affected pumas. In all affected pumas, B. henselae was detected by PCR in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded lung tissue, and positively staining organisms were identified in sections of lung by immunohistochemistry for B. henselae. In situ hybridization detected B. henselae DNA in lung tissue from 2 of 3 affected pumas. Our case series suggests that B. henselae can be associated with a fatal disease syndrome in Florida pumas. The cause of susceptibility to fatal disease associated with B. henselae infection in these pumas remains unknown.

Systemic Loss of C-terminal Src Kinase Expression Elicits Spontaneous Suppurative Inflammation in Conditional Knockout Mice.

C-terminal Src kinase (Csk) is one of the critical negative regulators of the Src family of kinases. The Src family of kinases are nonreceptor tyrosine kinases that regulate inflammation, cell proliferation, motility, and adhesion. To investigate potential histologic lesions associated with systemic loss of Csk gene activity in adult mice, conditional Csk-knockout mice were examined. Cre-mediated systemic excision of Csk induced by tamoxifen treatment resulted in multiorgan inflammation. Specifically, induction of Csk gene excision with three days of tamoxifen treatment resulted in greater than 90% gene excision. Strikingly, these mice developed enteritis that ranged from minimal and suppurative to severe, fibrinonecrosuppurative and hemorrhagic. Other inflammatory lesions included suppurative pneumonia, gastritis, and myocarditis, and increased numbers of inflammatory cells within the hepatic parenchyma. When tamoxifen treatment was reduced from three days to one day in an effort to lower the level of Csk gene excision and limit lesion development, the mice developed severe suppurative to pyogranulomatous pneumonia and minimal to mild suppurative enteritis. Lesions observed secondary to Csk gene excision suggest important roles for Csk in downregulating the proinflammatory activity of the Src family of kinases and limiting neutrophil-mediated inflammation.

Suppurative infectious diseases of the central nervous system in domestic ruminants / Doenças infecciosas supurativas do sistema nervoso central de ruminantes domésticos

This study describes suppurative infectious diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) in domestic ruminants of southern Brazil. Reports from 3.274 cattle, 596 sheep and 391 goats were reviewed, of which 219 cattle, 21 sheep and 7 goats were diagnosed with central nervous system inflammatory diseases. Suppurative infectious diseases of the CNS corresponded to 54 cases (28 cattle, 19 sheep and 7 goats). The conditions observed consisted of listerial meningoencephalitis (8 sheep, 5 goats and 4 cattle), suppurative leptomeningitis and meningoencephalitis (14 cattle, 2 goats and 1 sheep), cerebral (6 cattle and 2 sheep), and spinal cord (7 sheep) abscesses, and basilar empyema (4 cattle and 1 sheep). Bacterial culture identified Listeria monocytogenes (9/54 cases), Escherichia coli (7/54 cases), Trueperella pyogenes (6/54 cases) and Proteus mirabilis (1/54 cases). All cases diagnosed as listeriosis through histopathology yielded positive immunostaining on immunohistochemistry, while 12/17 of the cases of suppurative leptomeningitis and meningoencephalitis presented positive immunostaining for Escherichia coli. Meningoencephalitis by L. monocytogenes was the main neurological disease in sheep and goats, followed by spinal cord abscesses in sheep. In cattle, leptomeningitis and suppurative meningoencephalitis was the most frequent neurological disease for the species, and E. coli was the main cause of these lesions. Basilar empyema, mainly diagnosed in cattle, is related to traumatic injuries, mainly in the nasal cavity, and the main etiologic agent was T. pyogenes.(AU)

Neste trabalho são descritas as doenças neurológicas infecciosas supurativas de ruminantes domésticos na Região Sul do Brasil. Foram avaliados laudos de 3.274 bovinos, 596 ovinos e 391 caprinos, dos quais 219 bovinos, 21 ovinos e sete caprinos foram diagnosticados como doenças inflamatórias no sistema nervoso central. As doenças neurológicas infecciosas supurativas corresponderam a 54 casos (28 bovinos, 19 ovinos e sete caprinos). As enfermidades observadas foram meningoencefalite por Listeria monocytogenes (oito ovinos, cinco caprinos e quatro bovinos), leptomeningite e meningoencefalite supurativa (14 bovinos, dois caprinos e um ovino), abscessos cerebrais (seis bovinos e dois ovinos) e medulares (sete ovinos); e empiema basilar (quatro bovinos e um ovino). Através do isolamento bacteriano foram identificados: L. monocytogenes (9/54 casos), Echerichia coli (7/54 casos), Trueperella pyogenes (6/54 casos) e Proteus mirabilis (1/54 casos). Todos os casos diagnosticados como listeriose por histologia foram positivos na imuno-histoquímica para L. monocytogenes, e 12/17 casos de leptomeningite e meningoencefalite supurativa foram positivos na imuno-histoquímica para E. coli. A meningoencefalite por L. monocytogenes representou a principal enfermidade neurológica em ovinos e caprinos, seguido dos abscessos medulares em ovinos. A leptomeningite e meningoencefalite supurativa foi a doença neurológica supurativa mais frequente em bovinos e o principal agente causador da lesão foi E. coli. O empiema basilar, frequentemente, diagnosticado em bovinos, foi relacionado com lesões traumáticas, principalmente, de cavidade nasal e o principal agente causador foi T. pyogenes.(AU)

Multifocal suppurative granuloma caused by Actinobacillus lignieresii in the peritoneum of a beef steer.

An imported crossbred Angus beef steer aged eight to twelve months died suddenly on the eighth day of a quarantine period in Japan. Gross examination showed the peritoneum and mesentery consisted of numerous nodules of various sizes. Histological examination revealed chronic suppurative granulomatous peritonitis with eosinophilic rosettes surrounding colonies of Gram-negative bacilli. The bacteria isolated from the nodules were confirmed to be Actinobacillus lignieresii based on the results of 16S rRNA gene sequencing and immunohistochemistry. Antibiotic sensitivity testing showed that the isolate was resistant to penicillin. Thus, a diagnosis of atypical actinobacillosis caused by A. lignieresii was made.

Uterine disease and its effect on subsequent reproductive performance of dairy cattle: a comparison of two cow-side diagnostic methods.

The aim of this study was to compare vaginal mucus scoring and ultrasonographic assessment of uterine content as predictors of future reproductive performance of dairy cows. Holstein-Friesian cows (n = 493) from seven commercial dairy farms were enrolled in this study. All cows received one prebreeding examination (PBE) between 21 and 38 days after parturition. During the PBE, vaginal mucus was scored (MS) and the transrectal ultrasonographic examination of the uterus to assess content (UTS) took place. The MS was scored on a scale of 0 to 3 using a Metricheck device and appearance of the uterus on transrectal ultrasound was scored on a scale of 0 to 4 based on the presence and consistency of intraluminal fluid. Other data collected from each cow included the farm ID (F_ID), conception rate to first service, length of breeding window, lactation number, calving month, body condition score (BCS) at calving, BCS loss after calving, BCS at PBE, days in milk at PBE, 305 day milk yield, economic breeding index (EBI), EBI fertility subindex and EBI health subindex. For each cow these parameters were analyzed using univariate Cox proportional hazard model to evaluate the effect of variables on the reproductive performance, measured as positive pregnancy status (PS) at the end of the breeding season. Receiver-operating characteristic analysis of the diagnostic tests compared with each other took place as well. Cows with positive UTS were 7.75 times more likely to have a positive MS as well (P < 0.01). The PS hazard ratios for cows with UTS0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 were 1; 0.84; 0.53; 0.78; 0.28, respectively (P < 0.001). For the cows with MS0, 1, 2, and 3, the PR hazard ratios were 1; 1.02; 0.51; 0.75; respectively (P = 0.01). Conception rate to first service, breeding window, and PS were significantly better for the cows with UTS0, 1 and 2 compared with the cows with UTS3-4 and MS2+3 (68%; 18%, [P = 0.020]; 29; 75 days, [P = 0.001]; 95%; 55%; [P = 0.010], respectively). There was a significant effect of days in milk at PBE in relation to the subsequent PS (P = 0.04). Cows in lactation number 5 or more were less likely (r = 0.69) to get in calf before the end of the breeding season than cows in their first lactation. Cows that calved later in the season were less likely to become pregnant before the end of the breeding season (P < 0.03). Younger cows (lactation <5) and cows with MS and UTS scores of 0 and -1 had significantly better reproductive performance (P < 0.04). Receiver-operating characteristic analysis showed that MS did not always reflect UTS, but cows with positive UTS were 7.75 times more likely to have a positive MS (P < 0.01) and a high UTS had a larger negative effect on time to PS than a high MS (P < 0.05). In conclusion, both prebreeding vaginal mucus evaluation with the Metricheck device and an ultrasound scan of the uterus serve as a good predictor of the subsequent PS. There is overlap between the two systems, but the best predictor for future reproductive outcome of the cow is a combination of both.

Identification of Wohlfahrtiimonas chitiniclastica isolated from an infected cow with hoof fetlow, China.

Wohlfahrtiimonas chitiniclastica is a rare but an emerging zoonotic pathogen. Here, we report the isolation and identification of W. chitiniclastica strain DZ2015 from hoof pus of an infected cow with hoof fetlow in Shandong, China by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and mouse infection experiments showed that the strain of W. chitiniclastica had broad susceptibility and was pathogenic to mice. This is the first report of the W. chitiniclastica isolated from an infected domestic animal in China.

Suppurative granulomatous sinorhinitis associated with Nocardia spp. infection in a cat.

A 9-year-old spayed female cat was examined for cheek skin drainage. The skin lesion did not respond to medical therapy; thereafter, facial deformity developed. A computed tomography revealed an intranasal mass and maxillary osteolysis. The mass was histopathologically diagnosed as suppurative granulomatous inflammation caused by filamentous bacteria. The lesion responded well to radiation therapy. Although actinomycosis was suspected histopathologically, no actinomycetes were detected in the nasal lesion by a bacterial culture conducted at a commercial laboratory. The submandibular lymph node and subcutaneous tissue exhibited swelling. Microbiological examination and genetic analysis based on 16S rDNA gene sequence revealed that Nocardia spp. were isolated from both lesions.

Clinical trial of treatment programs for purulent vaginal discharge in lactating dairy cattle in New Zealand.

Studies of treatment of postpartum endometritis in dairy cows indicate that prostaglandin (PGF2α) might result in similar outcomes as intrauterine antibiotics, but the effect might depend on the presence of a CL. The objective was to compare reproductive performance in cows with purulent vaginal discharge treated on the basis of having or not having a CL (CL-dependent treatment; CLdep), versus treatment of all affected cows with an intrauterine antibiotic alone. Cows (N = 756) from 36 seasonal calving dairy herds in New Zealand were enrolled on the basis of having a vaginal discharge score (VDS) ≥2 (mucus with flecks of pus or more purulent) after examination with the Metricheck device (Simcro, Hamilton, New Zealand) and ≥14 days after calving. The presence of a CL was assessed by transrectal palpation. Cows were randomly assigned within farm to be treated with an intrauterine antibiotic (0.5 g cephapirin) irrespective of CL status, or treated with PGF2α if a CL was present and cephapirin if a CL was not present (CLdep). The VDS was reassessed 14 days later. Cows were bred using standard practices and pregnancy was tested to define the date of conception. The proportion of cows clinically cured (i.e., with a VDS ≤1 at reexamination) did not differ between treatment groups (0.82 ± 0.03 vs. 0.80 ± 0.03) for the group of cows treated with an intrauterine antibiotic irrespective of CL status and the CLdep groups, respectively (P = 0.66). The proportions of cows submitted for AI by 21 days into the breeding program, pregnant to first breeding, pregnant by 42 days into the breeding program, and at the end of the breeding program, and the interval from the start of the mating program to pregnancy did not differ among treatment groups. Cows that had positive VDS (i.e., >1) at Day 14 after treatment had lower proportions of conception and pregnancy than those with lower (<2) VDS. A treatment protocol in which cows with purulent vaginal discharge with a palpable CL were treated with PGF2α and those without a CL with intrauterine cephapirin resulted in reproductive performance that was not inferior to treating all cows with an intrauterine antibiotic.

Epidemiological, bacteriological and molecular studies on caseous lymphadenitis in Sirohi goats of Rajasthan, India.

Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis is the causative agent of caseous lymphadenitis (CL), a chronic debilitating disease of goats. In the present study, a total of 575 goats of Sirohi breed on an organized farm situated in the semi-arid tropical region of Rajasthan, India were clinically examined. Pus samples from superficial lymph nodes of 27 (4.7%) adult goats presenting clinical lesions suggestive of CL were collected for bacteriological and molecular analyses. Of these goats, 51.9% yielded C. pseudotuberculosis on the basis of morphological, cultural and biochemical characteristics. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay targeting proline iminopeptidase gene specific to C. pseudotuberculosis was developed that confirmed all 14 bacterial isolates. The specificity of the PCR product was confirmed by sequencing of the 551-bp amplicon in both senses, showing 98-100% homology with published sequences. Thus, overall prevalence rate based on clinical, bacterial culture and PCR assay were found to be 4.7%, 2.4% and 2.4%, respectively. The PCR assay developed in this study was found to be specific and rapid, and could be used for confirmation of CL in goats as an alternative method to generally cumbersome, time-consuming and less reliable conventional methods.

Outbreak of bovine clinical mastitis caused by Mycoplasma bovis in a North Italian herd.

This report describes an outbreak of Mycoplasma bovis mastitis affecting 45 cows in a herd of 122 dairy cattle in Northern Italy. Clinically, the outbreak was characterized by agalactia, multiple swollen and painless quarters, high milk somatic cell count and unresponsiveness to conventional antibiotic therapy. M. bovis was isolated from the milk samples of all the 32 affected cows tested and from the mammary tissue of three affected cows that underwent necropsy. No other pathogens were isolated from these samples. Lesions in two of the necropsied cows were characterized by mild chronic suppurative mastitis and galactophoritis. The other necropsied cow showed a chronic necrosuppurative and pyogranulamaous galactophoritis, a condition not previously associated with M. bovis. M. bovis was detected immunohistochemically in the lumen of the affected mammary ducts suggesting that ascending infection via the teat canal was the likely route of transmission. No other intralesional pathogens were demonstrated microscopically.

Strains of Staphylococcus aureus and pathology associated with chronic suppurative mastitis in rabbits.

Staphylococcal mastitis is one of the main reasons for culling adult does from commercial rabbitries. The aim of this study was describe the spectrum of gross and microscopic lesions in 178 cases of chronic staphylococcal mastitis in adult does and to determine whether there is a correlation between Staphylococcus aureus genotypes and pathology. On the basis of histopathology, chronic mastitis was differentiated into abscesses (66.3%), suppurative mastitis with a lobular pattern (7.9%), cellulitis (19.6%) and mixed lesions (6.2%). Pathological presentations were not related to S. aureus genotype.

Suppurative adenitis of preputial glands associated with Corynebacterium mastitidis infection in mice.

Suppuration of the preputial gland in mice occurs as a septic complication of fight wounds around the external genitalia. Currently reported bacterial isolates from these lesions are limited to Staphylococcus aureus, Pasteurella pneumotropica, and Klebsiella oxytoca. In the context of a pilot experiment aimed at defining the aging phenotype of estrogen receptor beta knockout (BERKO) mice, 2 male mice (1 of the BERKO line and the other from the age- and sex-matched wild-type control group) were discovered at necropsy to have preputial gland lesions. In both cases, histopathologic examination confirmed severe suppuration and abscesses of the preputial glands associated with systemic reactive (secondary) amyloidosis. Both Gram staining and Bacillus Calmette-Guérin immunohistochemistry highlighted the presence of numerous bacillary to rod-shaped bacteria within the preputial lesions. Subsequent PCR analysis coupled with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis identified Corynebacterium mastitidis in the preputial gland abscesses. This organism is isolated infrequently from the milk of sheep with subclinical mastitis and was identified as part of the normal microflora of the human ocular surface. No information regarding the epidemiology and pathogenesis of C. mastitidis infection in laboratory animals is currently available, and to our knowledge this report is the first description of C. mastitidis infection in mice.