Isolation of Actinobacillus Suis from a Colt

Actinobacillus suis and Actinobacillus equuli, emergent pathogens of septic embolic nephritis, a new challenge for the swine industry

“…Actinobacillus suis or A. suis-like bacteria have been isolated sporadically from other species, such as a Canada goose with conjunctivitis (Maddux et al 1987), an alpaca with endocarditis, embolic suppurative nephritis, pulmonary abscesses and interphalangeal arthritis (Hill and Johnstone 1992), lungs from a cat after undergoing an ovariohysterectomy (Daignault et al 1999), neonatal calves with septicemia (DeBey et al 1996), a buffalo with multiple abscesses (Sulochana et al 1985), a colt with ocular and nasal purulent discharge (Harbourne et al 1978), horses with abscesses, respiratory and genital infections (Carman and Hodges 1982, Carr et al 1997, Jeannotte et al 2002, and foals with septicemia (Nelson et al 1996). Mice can be infected with A. suis and subsequently develop pneumonia and bacteremia comparable to that seen in pigs, suggesting that mice may be used as a model for studying infection in swine (Ojha et al 2007).…”

“…A. suis can colonize the vagina of healthy sows and may cause abortion in gilts (Mauch and Bilkei 2004). Actinobacillus suis, characterized by biochemical properties, has been associated with infection of horses (Kim et al 1976, Harbourne et al 1978, Carman and Hodges 1982, Jang et al 1987, and septicemia in foals (Nelson et al 1996).…”

“…Cases have been reported from United States (Cutlip et al 1972, Maddux et al 1987, Nelson et al 1996, Canada (MacDonald et al 1976, Miniats et al 1989, Sanford et al 1990, Odin and Helie 1993, Great Britain (Harbourne et al 1978), New Zealand (Carman andHodges 1982, Hill andJohnstone 1992), India (Sulochana et al 1985), Australia (Peel et al 1991, Wilson andMcOrist, 2000), Hungary and Croatia (Mauch and Bilkei 2004).…”

“…India ink-crystal violet stain revealed that the organism is encapsulated (Cutlip et al 1972, MacDonald et al 1976, Harbourne et al 1978, DeBey et al 1996, Taylor 2006, Ojha et al 2007. Actinobacillus suis is catalase and oxidase positive, can grow on Mac Conkey's agar, and is nitrate and urease positive but indole negative.…”

“…The most likely method of spread of the genus Actinobacillus between horses and pigs seems to be previous contact between both species in the farm (Windsor 1973, Werdin 1976, Harbourne et al 1978, Nelson et al 1996, but a case of A. equuli infection in swine was reported from a farm in which pigs were raised in an environment without contact with horses (Ramos-Vara et al 2008). Cases of A. equuli infection were reported in a farm with excellent biosecurity standards, but it was also reported that although the sows had no direct contact with horses several barn employees were known to be in contact with horses (Thompson et al 2010).…”