Tuberculosis in farmed rheas (Rhea americana).

Avian tuberculosis was diagnosed in two mature rheas on different ratite farms over a 2-year period. Both birds had died after progressively losing body condition. Caseonecrotic granulomas were scattered throughout the liver and spleen in both birds. Similar granulomas were in the lung of one bird and bilaterally in the subcutis cranial to the shoulder in the other bird. Smears of several granulomas from both rheas revealed large numbers of acid-fast bacilli. Histologically, the granulomas had caseonecrotic, non-mineralized centers surrounded by giant cells. Large numbers of acid-fast bacilli were seen free in the necrotic material and within inflammatory cells. Amyloidosis of the liver and spleen occurred in one rhea. Mycobacterium avium complex was isolated at a reference laboratory from hepatic granulomas submitted from one rhea.

Actinobacillus suis infection in pigs in southwestern Ontario.

Actinobacillus suis was isolated from tissues of 39 pigs, 2 porcine lungs, and 1 uterine swab submitted for diagnostic evaluation from 24 farms in southwestern Ontario between 1985 and 1988. These isolates represented a gradually increasing incidence of herd outbreaks caused by A. suis in southwestern Ontario. The outbreaks were typified by sudden death in suckling or recently weaned pigs; 87% of the affected pigs examined at the laboratory were between two and 28 days old. Petechial to ecchymotic hemorrhages in the thoracic and abdominal organs accompanied by serofibrinous exudates in both cavities were the most common gross lesions. The lesions were characterized histologically by bacterial thromboembolism and necrosis randomly scattered in thoracic and abdominal organs. Occasionally, bacterial thromboemboli were surrounded by centrifugally radiating, eosinophilic, club-like colonies. Diffuse necrohemorrhagic myocarditis that was more severe in the atria, and diffuse subacute meningoencephalitis, were less frequent but distinctive lesions. Multiple litters were affected in most herd outbreaks, and mortality often approached 50% in affected litters. Although the A. suis organism was susceptible to nearly every antibiotic against which it was tested, the suddenness of herd outbreaks precluded attempts at treatment.

Pulmonary adenomatosis (jaagsiekte) of sheep in Canada.

Sheep pulmonary adenomatosis has recently been reported in Canada. The literature is briefly reviewed and an account of the present status of the disease in Canada is described.Sheep pulmonary adenomatosis was first diagnosed in Canada in December 1979 in a first generation descendent of sheep imported from Great Britain. In March 1980 two further cases of sheep pulmonary adenomatosis were diagnosed in a second flock. A total of 43 sheep involving eight flocks from five provinces have been observed from December, 1979 to May, 1981. The clinical signs and laboratory findings were similar to those described in sheep from other countries. It is estimated that 30% of Canadian flocks may contain sheep imported from Great Britain during the 1970's.

A review of the lesions in shipping fever of cattle.

A review of literature concerning the information published on the macroscopic and microscopic lung lesions in "shipping fever" of cattle is presented as reported in naturally occurring cases as well as the experimental disease.