Atypical case of parietal fibrinous peritonitis in a Belgian Blue heifer without a history of laparotomy

Abstract

A 19-month-old Belgian Blue heifer was referred to the Veterinary Clinic of Liege University. The heifer was 2 months pregnant by insemination and presented hyperthermia, anorexia and weight loss. Rectal palpation revealed a large, depressible abdominal mass. Diagnosis of parietal fibrinous peritonitis (PFP) was made by ultrasound, revealing a liquid and fibrin filled cavity attached to the abdominal wall. Blood analysis indicated an inflammatory status. Analysis of a PFP fluid sample confirmed bacterial contamination. Treatment, apart from fluids, antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, consisted of surgical drainage and repeated flushing of the cavity. Complete resorption of the cavity was observed after 5 weeks. The heifer remained pregnant but died 7 months later, after elective caesarean section, due to generalised peritonitis. This is the first report of PFP in an animal without a history of laparotomy. The PFP may have been caused by an insemination-induced trauma.

Infectious Agents Identified by Real-Time PCR, Serology and Bacteriology in Blood and Peritoneal Exudate Samples of Cows Affected by Parietal Fibrinous Peritonitis after Caesarean Section

“…This study presents a unique dataset containing a large number of PFP cases observed in the field. Only very few studies have reported aerobic or anaerobic bacteria, BoHV4 and M. bovis in peritoneal liquids and, particularly, in cases of PFP [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 15 ]. To our knowledge, the presence of C. burnetii in peritoneal fluids has never been demonstrated.…”

“…This number may even be an underestimation of the true presence, due to the limited sensitivity of bacteriological culture. Also, it is very likely that several cows had been treated with antimicrobials before sampling, modifying the culture results [ 2 , 4 , 16 , 17 ].…”

“…All rural veterinarians from the ARSIA database were contacted by e-mail, and instructions for the diagnosis and treatment of PFP were published online. In each case suspected of PFP based on clinical signs and ultrasound findings, an aseptical paracentesis of the cavity was carried out to confirm the diagnosis, as described in previous studies [ 3 , 4 ]. Finally, PFP was confirmed in 72 cases, and 10 mL of peritoneal fluid was collected in each case for further examination.…”

“…Parietal fibrinous peritonitis (PFP) in cattle is a postoperative complication of laparotomy [ 1 , 2 , 3 ], characterized by the accumulation of fibrin and peritoneal exudate inside a thick fibrous capsule between the outer sheath of the parietal peritoneum and the abdominal muscular layers [ 1 , 3 ]. Symptoms of PFP occur several weeks after surgery, and may include hyperthermia, anorexia, weight loss, visual abdominal distention, and colic [ 3 , 4 , 5 ].…”

“…For a long time, PFP has been considered as an aseptic inflammation [ 5 , 8 , 9 ]. This assumption has recently been challenged, after the isolation of several aerobic and anaerobic bacteria such as Trueperella pyogenes ( T. pyogenes ), Escherichia coli ( E. coli ), Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Fusobacter necrofurum, Comamonas kerstersii, Bacillus licheniformis, and Bacteroides species in in the peritoneal fluid of PFP cows [ 2 , 3 , 4 ].…”