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==Listeriosis==
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Also known as: '''''Circling disease — Silage sickness
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*Occurs in North and East Europe and North America
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==Introduction==
Outbreaks of listeriosis often linked to silage feeding
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Listeriosis is a bacterial infection caused by [[Listeria species - Overview|''Listeria'' species]]. It affects a wide range of animals and is an important zoonosis. [[Listeria monocytogenes|''L.monocytogenes'']] is found in silage and is the main source of contamination for animals. Soil and the mammalian gastrointestinal tract are natural reservoirs for'' L.monocytogenes'' and if ingested by grazing animals the bacteria will further contaminate the pasture.  The bacteria is very resistant to drying and can survive at a variety of temperatures and pH.
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==Treatment and control==
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==Signalment==
*Ampicillin or amoxycillin in early stages of septicaemic listeriosis
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Affects a range of animals including sheep, cattle, goats and birds. Most commonly affects adult ruminants that are being fed contaminated silage over the winter.
*Sub-conjuntival antibiotics and corticosteroids for ocular listeriosis
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*Avoid poor quality silage and discontinue silage-feeding in an outbreak
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Causes abortions in cattle and sheep last third of pregnancy. Foetal membranes often retained leading to metritis. The placenta is covered by purulent exudate and there are focal pinpoint yellow lesions in foetal liver.
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*Zoonosis - consumption of contaminated unpasteurised milk by humans can lead to meningitis and meningoencephalitis and, if pregnant, abortion.
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*Neural listeriosis:
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==History and Clinical Signs==
**Incubation period 14-40 days
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The most recognised form of listeriosis in '''ruminants''' affects the nervous system causing '''meningoencephalitis'''. Animals present depressed, sometimes with a head tilt, facial paralysis, a drooping eyelid, profuse salivation and circling towards the side of the lesion. In terminally affected animals who are recumbent it is common to see unvoluntary running movements. Death can follow clinical signs acutely and is often within 24-48 hours.
**Meningoencephalitis
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**Dullness, circling, head tilt, facial paralysis, drool saliva, droop of eyelid and ear
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In '''monogastric''' animals and young ruminants listeriosis presents differently causing '''septicaemia''' which can also be fatal.
**Exposure keratitis
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**Fever during early stages
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If animals are infected whilst pregnant this can cause '''abortion''' up to 12 days later with a purulent exudate covering the placenta. Animals are affected in the last trimester of gestation having shown no previous clinical signs. Following abortion the animal will often recover normally unless the foetus is retained and metritis will develop.
**Recumbency and death within a few days in sheep and goats
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**Abortion up to 12 days after infection in cattle; usually recover but may get septicaemia
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Additionally, listeriosis can also manifest as '''conjunctivitis''' when infected silage come in contact with the animals eye, '''pneumonia, [[Myocarditis|myocarditis]] and [[Endocarditis|endocarditis]].
*Septicaemic listeriosis:
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**Incubation period 2-3 days
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==Diagnosis==
**Lambs and occasionally pregnant sheep
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Lumbosacral Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) can be collected under local anaesthesia and if the animal is infected will show an increased protein count and mild pleocytosis with large mononuclear cells.
**Occurs in newborn piglets, foals, poultry, adult sheep
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*Keratoconjunctivitis in cattle and sheep - direct contact with silage via eye
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Isolation of ''L. monocytogenes'' provides a definitive diagnosis of listeriosis. The preferred samples for culture are brain, aborted foetus or placenta.
*Pneumonia, myocarditis, enodcarditis
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*Zoonosis - consumption of contaminated unpasteurised milk; memingitis and meningoencephalitis; abortion
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Immunofluorescence can also be used to identify ''L.monocytogenes'' on smears taken from dead or aborted animals.
[[Category:To_Do_-_Clinical]]
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Serology is not used as many healthy animals have high ''Listeria'' titres.
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==Pathology==
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In Meningoencephalitis caused by listeriosis, lesions can be found on the meninges, pons, medulla oblongata and the spinal cord. The lesions are often small and are seen in conjunction with congested meninges.
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In septicaemic listeriosis, small focal necrotic lesions can be found in all organs but particularly the liver and in very young animals gastroenteritis may also be present.
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Aborted foetuses are autolysed with small necrotic yellow foci at multiple organs sites often including the lungs, liver and the spleen.
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==Treatment==
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''L monocytogenes'' is susceptible to a range of antibiotics including penicillin, cephalosporin, erythromycin, and trimethoprim/sulfonamide. In order to achieve high enough levels in the brain high doses are required daily for 1-2 weeks. 
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In an outbreak, affected animals should be isolated, treated and silage feeding should be discontinued.
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All bedding should be destroyed and buildings should be thoroughly cleaned.  To avoid further outbreaks, ensure animals are fed good quality silage and minimise soil contamination when making silage.
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For ocular listeriosis sub-conjuntival antibiotics and corticosteroids can be given.
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==Prognosis==
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Recovery depends on rapid diagnosis of the disease. If treated, animals can recover, however, if signs of encepalitis are present treatment is often unsuccessful.
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{{Learning
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|literature search = [http://www.cabdirect.org/search.html?q=title%3A%28Listeriosis%29+OR+title%3A%28%22Circling+disease%22%29+OR+title%3A%28%22Silage+sickness%22%29 Listeriosis publications]
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}}
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== References ==
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Merck & Co (2008) '''The Merck Veterinary Manual''' (Eighth Edition)'' Merial ''
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{{review}}
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{{OpenPages}}
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[[Category:Neurological_Diseases_-_Cattle]] [[Category:Neurological_Diseases_-_Sheep]] [[Category:Neurological_Diseases_-_Goat]] [[Category:Neurological_Diseases_-_Pig]] [[Category:Respiratory_Diseases_-_Cattle]] [[Category:Respiratory_Diseases_-_Sheep]] [[Category:Respiratory_Diseases_-_Goat]] [[Category:Respiratory_Diseases_-_Pig]] [[Category:Reproductive_Diseases_-_Cattle]] [[Category:Reproductive_Diseases_-_Sheep]] [[Category:Reproductive_Diseases_-_Goat]] [[Category:Reproductive_Diseases_-_Pig]] [[Category:Cardiovascular_Diseases_-_Sheep]] [[Category:Cardiovascular_Diseases_-_Cattle]] [[Category:Cardiovascular_Diseases_-_Goat]] [[Category:Cardiovascular_Diseases_-_Pig]] [[Category:Neurological_Diseases_-_Birds]] [[Category:Expert_Review - Farm Animal]] [[Category:Zoonoses]]
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[[Category:Cardiology Section]]
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