Unilateral Orchitis and Epididymitis Caused by Salmonella Enterica Subspecies Diarizonae Infection in a Ram

Abstract

A case of unilateral suppurative epididymo-orchitis associated with Salmonella enterica subsp. diarizonae serovar 61:k:1,5,(7) infection is described in a 2-year-old ram. Gross lesions were characterized by severe enlargement of the scrotal contents, fibrous adhesions between testicular layers, coexistence of epididymal abscesses and foci of fibrinous exudate, and testicular atrophy. Microscopically, testicular and epididymal microabscesses and diffuse inflammatory infiltrates with abundant macrophages containing short Gram-negative rods were observed. Superimposed on the chronic lesions were fibrin deposits with clusters of neutrophils, as well as walled-off granulation tissue. Bacterial colonies were also identified in thrombosed spermatic cord vessels, scrotal lymph nodes, lung, and liver. S. enterica subsp. diarizonae serovar 61:k:1,5,(7) was isolated from the affected testis. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of infection of the testis and epididymis by Salmonella in rams. This organism must be taken into account in the differential diagnosis of ovine genital infections.

Occurrence and characterisation of Salmonella enterica subspecies diarizonae serovar 61: k: 1, 5, (7) in sheep in the federal state of Thuringia, Germany

“…SA S d is able to produce both intestinal and extra-intestinal infections with faecal, vaginal and nasal colonisation as well as shedding, but mostly without clinical disease [7–9]. However, it has also been reported that SA S d may occasionally cause rhinitis or chronic nasal inflammation [10, 11], orchitis [12], or aborted foetuses [4]. As these properties deviate from the classical characteristics of host-restricted, host-adapted or ubiquitous serovars [13], the term sheep associated serovar [6] appears most appropriate to characterise serovar 61: k: 1, 5, (7).…”

Changes in the risk management of Salmonella enterica subspecies diarizonae serovar 61:(k):1, 5, (7) in Swedish sheep herds and sheep meat due to the results of a prevalence study 2012

“…The bacteria have been reported to be commonly found in sheep in the United Kingdom (UK), Norway and Switzerland [ 5 - 8 ]. The infection in sheep is usually sub-clinical [ 9 ] but may cause enteritis, rhinitis, orchitis, and aborted or stillborn foetuses [ 5 , 10 , 11 ]. SASd is only occasionally isolated from other species [ 12 ] and seldom reported in humans.…”

Clinical and ultrasonographic findings in rams with scrotal enlargement

“…Moreover, Trypanosoma brucei, Salmonella enterica subsp. Diarizonae, Chlamydia spp also isolated from those cases of orchitis and peri-orchitis infection in a mature ram (6,(24)(25)(26)(27).…”