Actinobacillosis outbreak in cattle with clinical manifestation of hippopotamus-like face / Actinobacilose em bovinos com manifestação clínica de cara de hipopótamo

Actinobacillosis outbreak with clinical manifestation of hippopotamus-like face observed in a property located in the municipality of Capão do Leão, Southern Brazil, in September 2016, is described. The cattle herd remained for most of the year in rice stubble. When these areas were occupied with new crops, they were transferred to areas where there were small native forests. Three cattle were affected. They presented a volume increase in the nasolabial and maxillary region, and there was also regional lymph node swelling. The evolution of the disease occurred in approximately six months. In tissue fragments collected for culture, Actinobacillus lignieresii was isolated. The diagnosis was based on clinical findings, histopathological evaluation characterized by the presence of piogranulomas with Splendore Hoepli reaction in its center, bacterial isolation, and identification of A. lignieresii by polymerase chain reaction (PRC) and genetic sequencing.(AU)

Descreve-se um surto de actinobacilose com manifestação clínica de cara de hipopótamo diagnosticado em uma propriedade localizada no município do Capão do Leão, Rio Grande do Sul em setembro de 2016. Os bovinos permaneciam durante a maior parte do ano em restevas de arroz e quando as áreas eram ocupadas com novas lavouras eram transferidos para áreas onde havia pequenas matas nativas. Foram afetados três bovinos adultos que apresentavam aumento de volume na região nasolabial e maxilar e havia, também, tumefação dos linfonodos regionais. A evolução da enfermidade era de aproximadamente seis meses. Nos fragmentos coletados para cultura houve isolamento de Actinobacillus lignieresii. O diagnóstico foi baseado nos achados clínicos, na avaliação histopatológica caracterizada pela presença de piogranulomas com reação de Splendori Hoepli no centro, no isolamento bacteriano, identificação de Actinobacillus lignieresii por reação em cadeia da polimerase (PRC) e sequenciamento genético.(AU)

[Detection of Actinobacillus equuli ssp. equuli in piglets with purulent polyarthritis and tendovaginitis]. / Nachweis von Actinobacillus equuli ssp. equuli bei Saugferkeln mit eitriger Polyarthritis und Tendovaginitis.

Actinobacillus equuli ssp. equuli is an opportunistic pathogen in horses, mainly known to cause "sleepy foal disease". In comparison to horses, there are only few reports describing diseases in pigs associated with this gram-negative bacterium. This case report describes an outbreak of infection in a combined farrow-to-finish-farm. In September 2018, the following symptoms were noticed in one third of all newborn piglets from gilts and sows: 6-8 hours after birth piglets became weak and developed swollen joints with moderate to severe lameness. The piglets exhibited lethargy, a subset were non-ambulatory. An elevated piglet mortality within the first days within birth was noted. Seven piglets that succumbed to the disease (days 2-3 of life) were submitted for examination, 4 of which underwent pathological examination. The main findings were purulent polyarthritis and tendovaginitis. In addition, purulent inflammation was detected in the brain and kidneys of one animal. In the bacteriological examination A. equuli ssp. equuli was isolated in a total of 18 samples (brain, joints, suppurative structures of limbs), in a subset of cases as pure culture. For identification, cultural and biochemical characteristics were tested and a mass spectrometry analysis (MALDI-TOF MS) was performed. Further laboratory testing included 16 S rRNA-gene sequencing, a PCR in order to examine for special apx toxin genes as well as a PCR differentiating the two subspecies of A. equuli. It was not possible to identify the source of infection and routes of spread within the pig herd. The bacterial isolates were used for the production of an autogenous vaccine.

Atypical actinobacillosis affecting hind limbs and lungs in a single beef cattle herd.

Actinobacillosis usually is a sporadic infection that affects the tongue in cattle ("wooden tongue") with possible spread to the digestive tract. Two 4-year-old Rouge-des-Prés cows from a single French beef herd were referred for chronic (2-6 months) swelling and cutaneous nodules in the distal hind limbs. In addition to cutaneous signs, physical examination disclosed cachexia, lameness, lymphadenitis of the hind limbs, and pneumonia in both cows. Cytologic examination of direct skin smears was inconclusive, and no parasites were observed in examination of multiple skin scrapings. Histopathological examination of skin and lung biopsy specimens identified chronic, diffuse, severe pyogranulomatous dermatitis, associated with Splendore-Hoeppli phenomenon and intralesional Gram-negative bacteria. Cultures from skin, lymph nodes, and lungs (both cows were euthanized for welfare reasons) identified a Pasteurellaceae organism, confirmed as Actinobacillus lignieresii by partial sequencing of the rpoB gene. This report emphasizes that actinobacillosis can appear as a small outbreak in cattle with cutaneous and respiratory signs.

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.

Actinobacillus sp. bacteremia in foals: clinical signs and prognosis.

Medical records of 101 blood culture-confirmed bacteremic foals were reviewed to determine whether foals with Actinobacillus sp. bacteremia are affected at an earlier age, have more severe signs of disease, and have a worse prognosis than do foals with bacteremia of other causes. Thirty percent (30/101) of bacteremic foals had Actinobacillus sp. cultured, and these were 2 times more likely to die (crude odds ratio [OR(CR)] 0.8, 4; P = .14), with a survival rate of 43% (13/30) compared to the overall survival rate of 55% (56/101). When compared to other bacteremic foals, foals with actinobacillosis were 7 times more likely to have been sick from birth (adjusted odds ratio [OR(ADJ)] 2, 26; P = .003) and 6 times more likely to have diarrhea (OR(ADJ) 1, 22; P = .009). By bivariate analysis. foals with Actinobacillus sp. bacteremia were 5 times more likely to have a sepsis score >11 (OR(CR) 1, 18; P = .007), 6 times more likely to be obtunded (OR(CR) 2, 20; P = .005), and 3 times more likely to have pneumonia (OR(CR) 1, 7; P = .03). Furthermore, Actinobacillus sp. bacteremic foals were 27 times more likely to have a segmented neutrophil count <3.3 X 10(9) cells/L (OR(ADJ) 4, 166: P < .0001) and were 4.5 times more likely to have a band neutrophil count >0.46 x 10(9) cells/L (OR(ADJ) 1, 17; P = .02) when compared to foals that had bacteremia caused by either gram-negative enteric or gram-positive organisms. Sepsis score was < or = 11 in 49% (29/59) of bacteremia foals aged <13 days for which a discernible sepsis score was calculable. Results of this study should improve the diagnostic sensitivity of clinical examinations of neonatal foals, thereby facilitating treatment decisions.

Isolation of Actinobacillus seminis from the genital tract of rams in spain.

Actinobacillus seminis isolates were cultured from the semen (two isolates) and the left testis (one isolate) of two one-year-old rams in León, Spain. One animal showed lesions of chronic unilateral orchitis and epididymitis while the other appeared to suffer a subclinical infection and only a moderate number of pleomorphic rods and inflammatory cells were present in its semen. The isolates were biochemically similar to the A. seminis type strain NCTC 10851 and two other European A. seminis isolates, except that they produced acid from sorbitol; their identity was confirmed by arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction. The isolates were also tested against 30 antimicrobial agents, and only marbofloxacin was found active against all of them. As far as is known, this is the first report of A. seminis isolation from rams in southern Europe.

An atypical case of actinobacillosis in a cow.

An atypical case of actinobacillosis with involvement of the skin of the right hind limb and its lymphatics was diagnosed in a cow. The granulomatous lesions were observed as several masses along the lateral part of the right hind limb. The right precrural lymph node was enlarged more than 10 times its normal size. Histopathological examination of biopsy materials revealed actinobacillus granuloma. Smears of granular pus obtained from the precrural lymph node showed a small number of gram negative bacilli.

Suspected actinobacillosis manifested by facial enlargement in a heifer.

Actinobacillosis was the suspected cause of severe, bilateral facial enlargement of 8 months' duration in a 2.5-year-old Holstein heifer. Serum protein electrophoresis revealed a polyclonal gammopathy. Necropsy findings indicated that facial swelling was caused by fibrosis between the skin and underlying bone. Lesions were characterized microscopically by scattered pyogranulomas containing eosinophilic, club-like colonies surrounding gram-negative bacterial rods. The lesion was compatible with diagnosis of actinobacillosis. It is unusual for severe bilateral facial enlargement to be associated with actinobacillosis.

Regional eosinophilic coloproctitis, typhlitis and ileitis in a dog.

A 3-year-old female Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is presented with tenesmus alvi caused by a 15 cm long chronic regional cicatrising eosinophilic coloproctitis with bacterial masses surrounded by clubs, resembling actinomycosis. Similar changes were found in the caecum, next to a nodular eosinophilic inflammation in the ileal mucosa.

Atypical actinobacillosis granulomas in cattle.

Actinobacillus lignieresii is well recognized as the cause of "wooden tongue." We have encountered Actinobacillosis as the cause of granulomas in unusual locations. These lesions have been confused with neoplasms, nasal polyps, or exuberant granulation tissue. Four such cases constitute this report.

A histological and ultrastructural comparison of the sulfur granule of the actinomycosis and actinobacillosis.

The sulfur granules of actinomycosis and actinobacillosis were studied histologically and ultrastructurally. The sulfur granule of actinomycosis was large, and oval or horsehoe-shaped. In it, there were a number of gram-positive, filamentous or short rod-like hyphae beneath clubs. Ultrastructurally, the center of the sulfur granule was composed of a cluster of hyphae, and the periphery was surrounded by clubs arranged radially. The clubs were made of electron-dense fine granules and had a degenerated hypha at the center. These granules varied in amount from small to large. As for the host reaction, neutrophil infiltration appeared first around the sulfur granule. Then epithelioid cells proliferated and phagocytized hyphae. Finally, proliferating fibroblasts enclosed them and formed tiny granulomas. The sulfur granule of actinobacillosis was small and lobulated. In it, a number of gram-negative, short rod-like bacteria were present beneath clubs. Ultrastructurally, the center of the sulfur granule contained intact or degenerated bacteria, and the periphery was composed of radially projecting clubs. These clubs were made of electron-dense amorphous material, in which several layers of tubular structures surrounded the bacterium conentrically. The host reaction was almost the same as that of actinomycosis. The proliferation of fibroblasts was prominent. There was a strong tendency for these cells to form many tiny granulomas.