An Atypical Case of Actinobacillosis in a Cow

Abstract

Summary 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.

Atypical actinobacillosis in bulls in Argentina: granulomatous dermatitis and lymphadenitis

“…The clinical presentation, characteristic of the lesions and the isolation of Actinobacillus lignieresii from the affected tissues in one of the affected bulls (Bull B) confirmed the diagnosis of actinobacillosis. This clinical presentation was previously reported in cattle including large skin granulomas of several centimeters in diameter and associated lymph nodes (Hebeller et al 1961, Anderson et al 1990, Aslani et al 1995, Milne et al 2001, Radostits et al 2007, Taghipour Bazargani et al 2010. Similar to the lesions described in this case, the previously described granulomas were usually pliable on palpation, and bleed easily and non-odorous caseous to purulent material was obstained when they were drained (Rycroft & Garside 2000, Radostits et al 2007.…”

“…The histopathological changes observed in the skin biopsy from the affected bull, were similar to the described in previous reports. Lesions of actinobacillosis have a very distinctive pattern, reported as Actinobacillus granulomas, which consist of neutrophils and club-like rosettes with a central mass of Gram negative bacilli (Splendore hoepli) surrounded by neutrophils, mononuclear cells and fibrosis (Anderson et al 1990, Aslani et al 1995, Rycroft & Garside 2000, Milne et al 2001, Radostits et al 2007, Hussein 2008, Angelo et al 2009, Taghipour Bazargani et al 2010.…”

“…Microscopically, pyogranulomas with club-like rosettes with central mass of bacteria surrounded by fibrosis after acute local inflammation are the most common features. In cattle, the classical presentation of infection affects the tongue ("wooden tongue"), but also soft tissues such as lymph nodes (retropharyngeal and submandibular) and other tissues of the head, pharynx, chest, flank, stomach, omentum and limbs can be affected (Abdul Rahman 1980, Aslani et al 1995, Milne et al 2001, Dirksen et al 2005, Radostits et al 2007, Taghipour Bazargani et al 2010. Atypical presentations in ruminants have been described in the muzzle, nasal cavity, cervical area, lungs, skin and subcutaneous tissues of eyelids and neck (Campbell et al 1975, Salamanco et al 1982, Rebhun et al 1988, Dirksen et al 2005, Radostits et al 2007, Angelo et al 2009, Peli et al 2009, Magnano et al 2010, Taghipour Bazargani et al 2010).…”

Fatal Actinobacillosis in a Dairy Buffalo

“…Respiratory difficulty observed in the subject of the present report may be ascribed to metastatic extension of the disease to the lungs (Cheema 1965;Gill and Balwant-Singh 1977;Carter and Chengappa 1991). Similarly, extensive swelling of submandibular lymph nodes as well as right and left pre-scapular lymph nodes may be attributed to metastatic spread and localization in these glands (Shastry 1983;Aslani et al 1995;Radostits et al 2000). Fatality of guinea pigs after intraperitoneal inoculation concurs with the observation of Cheema (1965).…”

Diverse strains of Actinobacillus lignieresii isolated from clinically affected cattle in a geographically restricted area

“…Although less common, A. lignieresii can also cause pyogranulomatous lesions in other soft tissues, such as the lymph nodes and soft tissues associated with the head and other tissues and organs . However, not all the reports of these other forms of the disease have identified A. lignieresii as the causative agent, as limited bacteriological investigation was undertaken, with identification only to the level of Actinobacillus ‐like bacteria or simply to actinobacilli …”