J Vet Sci.  2009 Sep;10(3):265-267. 10.4142/jvs.2009.10.3.265.

An atypical case of respiratory actinobacillosis in a cow

• Angelo P
• Alessandro S
• Noemi R
• Giuliano B
• Filippo S
• Marco P

• KMID: 1726928
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2009.10.3.265

Abstract

A not pregnant 4-year-old Jersey cow was presented with the sudden appearance of respiratory noise, nasal discharge and moderate respiratory difficulty. Upon physical examination a snoring-like noise, extended head and neck position, exaggerated abdominal effort, bilateral nasal discharge and left prescapular lymph node enlargement were noted. Sub-occlusion of the initial portion of the respiratory tract was suspected. Radiographic and endoscopic examinations revealed a pedunculate mass on the dorsal aspect of the rhinopharynx, which was removed with endoscopically assisted electrosurgery. Histologic examination revealed a chronic pyogranulomatous inflammation with eosinophilic club-like bodies surrounding small colonies of rod-shaped bacteria. Results of histochemical staining were consistent with Actinobacillus-like bacteria and a diagnosis of respiratory actinobacillosis was reached. Surgery and antibiotic therapy were resolutive, as demonstated by an endoscopic check at the second month after surgery, even without the association of the traditional iodine cure, which is regarded as the treatment of choice for actinobacillosis.

Keyword

actinobacillosis; cattle; endoscopy; rhinopharynx; surgical technique

MeSH Terms

Actinobacillosis/*diagnosis/drug therapy/microbiology/surgery
Actinobacillus/physiology
Animals
Cattle
Cattle Diseases/*diagnosis/drug therapy/pathology/surgery
Female
Respiratory Tract Infections/drug therapy/pathology/surgery/*veterinary
Treatment Outcome

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Radiographic appearance of the head, latero-lateral projection. A mass is evident at the rhinopharynx level (arrows).

• 

  Fig. 2 Rhinopharyngeal actinogranuloma. The mass is composed of fibrous tissue and multiple confluent pyogranuloma. H&E stain, ×100.

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  Fig. 3 Actinobacillar pyogranuloma. Bacterial colonies are surrounded by eosinophilic club-like bodies, neutrophils, and large macrophages. H&E stain, ×400.

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