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

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify the pathogens potentially involved in parietal fibrinous peritonitis (PFP). PFP is a complication of laparotomy in cattle, characterized by an accumulation of exudate inside a fibrinous capsule. We have studied 72 cases of PFP in Belgian blue cows, confirmed by a standard diagnostic protocol. Blood was collected to evaluate the presence of antibodies for Mycoplasma bovis(M. bovis), Coxiella burnetii(C. burnetii) and Bovine Herpesvirus 4(BoHV4) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Peritoneal exudate was obtained from the PFP cavity to perform bacteriological culture, and to identify the DNA of M. bovis, C. burnetii and BoHV4 using real time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Bacteriological culture was positive in most peritoneal samples (59/72); Trueperella pyogenes (T. pyogenes) (51/72) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) (20/72) were the most frequently identified. For BoHV4, the majority of cows showed positive serology and qPCR (56/72 and 49/72, respectively). Contrariwise, M. bovis (17/72 and 6/72, respectively) and C. burnetii (15/72 and 6/72, respectively) were less frequently detected (p < 0.0001). Our study proves that PFP can no longer be qualified as a sterile inflammation. Moreover, we herein describe the first identification of BoHV4 and C. burnetii in cows affected by PFP.

Description of Plasma Penicillin G Concentrations after Intramuscular Injection in Double-Muscled Cows to Optimize the Timing of Antibiotherapy for Caesarean Section

“…Since all use of antibiotics stimulates the development of bacterial resistance, veterinarians are encouraged to avoid the use of antibiotics whenever possible and to optimize their efficacy when necessary [ 31 , 32 ]. Since CS is a clean-contaminated surgery [ 8 , 10 , 20 ] and because bacterial infections can cause severe complications [ 13 , 14 , 15 ], it seems impractical to avoid antibiotic use. However, there are opportunities to improve the effectiveness of antibiotherapy around CS.…”

“…Contamination of the surgical site during CS is practically inevitable [ 8 , 9 , 10 ] and may be caused by bacteria originating from the environment, the surgeon and his/her materials [ 10 ], the incised uterus [ 8 ], or haematogenous spread [ 11 ]. Since bacterial infection may lead to severe postoperative complications [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ], veterinarians systematically administer antibiotics when performing a CS [ 6 ]. However, several aspects of antibiotic therapy, including choice of drug, timing and route of administration, and treatment duration, remain the subject of controversy [ 6 ].…”

Parietal fibrinous peritonitis in cattle: A literature review

“…In contrast to SEP, which is often a sterile inflammation of the peritoneum, 22,26 PFP is contaminated in the majority of clinical cases. Various infectious agents have recently been isolated from PFP fluids, including Trueperella pyogenes, Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens, Bovine Herpesvirus 4 ( BoHV4 ), Mycoplasma bovis, Coxiella burnetii , and Aspergillus fumigatus 7,9,13,16,28 . The large diversity in these pathogens indicate that several ways of endogenous or exogenous contamination are possible 7,29 .…”

“…Various infectious agents have recently been isolated from PFP fluids, including Trueperella pyogenes, Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens, Bovine Herpesvirus 4 (BoHV4), Mycoplasma bovis, Coxiella burnetii,a n d Aspergillus fumigatus. 7,9,13,16,28 The large diversity in these pathogens indicate that several ways of endogenous or exogenous contamination are possible. 7,29 It is unclear whether these agents are primary aetiological causes of the PFP, or secondary contaminants of an initially sterile fluid pouch caused by surgery.…”

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profile of Several Bacteria Species Identified in the Peritoneal Exudate of Cows Affected by Parietal Fibrinous Peritonitis after Caesarean Section

“…Parietal fibrinous peritonitis (PFP) is a common complication after laparotomy in cows. It is characterized by the accumulation of a considerable volume of inflammatory exudate and fibrin inside a thick capsule between the outer sheath of the parietal peritoneum and the abdominal muscular layers [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. The voluminous mass protrudes into the abdominal cavity and compresses the digestive organs [4,5].…”