Pathology and pathogenesis of cutaneous lesions in beef cattle associated with buffalo fly infestation

Abstract

Haematobia irritans exigua, commonly known as buffalo fly, is the major hematophagous ectoparasite of north Australian cattle herds. Lesions associated with buffalo fly infestation are generally alopecic, hyperkeratotic, or scab encrusted wounds with variable hemorrhagic ulceration. Buffalo flies can transmit a filarial nematode, Stephanofilaria sp., which has been implicated in the pathogenesis of buffalo fly lesions, but Stephanofilaria infection has not been detected in all lesions suggesting that other causal factors may be involved. This study characterized the pathology of buffalo fly lesions to identify the role of Stephanofilaria in lesion development, as well as to identify other potential agents. Lesion biopsies were collected from north and south Queensland and tested for the presence of Stephanofilaria by qPCR. Each lesion was scored grossly (0–4) for hemorrhage, ulceration, exudation, and alopecia. Lesions were also scored microscopically (0–4) for epidermal and dermal damage and inflammatory characters. Stephanofilaria infection was detected in 31% of lesion biopsies. Grossly, Stephanofilaria-infected lesions had significantly larger lesion area and higher scores for alopecia and hyperkeratosis than lesions where no nematodes were found (P < 0.05). Histologically, epidermal, dermal, and adnexal damage was significantly higher in Stephanofilaria infected lesions than lesions without nematodes. Eosinophils, macrophages, and lymphocytes were significantly more abundant in Stephanofilaria positive lesions as compared to negative lesions. This study also noted bacterial infection with colonies of coccoid bacteria, observed in skin sections from 19 lesions. Grossly, lesions with bacterial infection had significantly higher ulceration scores compared to Stephanofilaria positive lesions, and histologically epidermal disruption was significantly greater in bacteria-infected lesions. We found no evidence of bacteria or Stephanofilaria infection in 49% of the lesions assessed and tissue damage patterns and eosinophilic inflammation suggested hypersensitivity to buffalo fly feeding as a possible cause of these lesions. These findings suggest that although the presence of Stephanofilaria infection may increase the severity of lesion pathology, it is not essential for lesion development. These outcomes also suggest a potential role of bacteria and hypersensitivity in pathogenesis of some lesion. A better understanding of buffalo fly lesion etiology will contribute to the optimal treatment and control programmes.

Reassessing Stephanofilaria stilesi dermatitis in cattle, with characterization of molecular markers for confirming diagnosis

“…Histological description of the adult nematode and L1 is consistent with what has been previously described in the scientific literature [ 6 , 8 , 15 , 30 ]. Although not often emphasized, it is important to note that nematodes are often located within the epidermis superficial dermis, particularly within the first 4 mm of skin.…”

“…The macroscopic lesions of variable size identified in our cases were similar to previously described reports of stephanofilariasis in North America, Australia, Africa, and Europe [ 1 , 8 , 10 , 19 ]. While S. stilesi lesions seem to always occur in the ventral midline of cattle, as confirmed in our study, other Stephanofilaria species occur in different anatomic locations in the skin of cattle, such as the medial canthus of the eye, ear, neck, withers, shoulder, hump, dewlap, dorsum, ventral abdomen, teats, and scrotum [ 8 , 9 , 15 , 19 ]. The age of cattle in our study ranged between 8 months and 12 years.…”

“…This can be partly attributed to the dated literature on stephanofilariasis in North American cattle [ 17 ]. However, more modern histological techniques have been recently applied to dermatological lesions caused by another Stephanofilaria species in cattle of Australia [ 15 ]. Our study is the first to our knowledge to use TEM for L1 visualization within S. stilesi .…”

“…However, stephanofilariasis has been reported to cause more severe skin lesions in host species other than cattle, including pigs, rhinoceros, giraffes, and hippopotamuses [ 10 – 14 ]. In addition to its dermatological impact, clinical or subclinical impacts of H. irritans with or without S. stilesi on cattle health and production may include effects on average daily weight gain, hide quality, and feed intake [ 4 , 15 , 16 ]. Microscopically, adult nematodes are usually present within hair follicles, sebaceous ducts, and crusts.…”

“…Secondary furunculosis and folliculitis along with epidermal hyperplasia, ulceration, and erosion are common. First-stage larvae are contained in a “vitelline membrane” that is free within the superficial dermis and incites a perivascular dermatitis [ 15 ].…”