Difference between revisions of "Actinobacillosis - Cattle"

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Also known as: '''''Wooden tongue'''
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{{unfinished}}
  
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Caused by: '''''Actinobacillus lignieresii'''''
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*"Wooden tongue"
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*In cattle - very widespread in world, but rather sporadic, less common now than it was. 
  
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==Introduction==
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====Clinical====
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[[Image:Woodentongue1.gif|thumb|125px|<small><center>Fibrous Stroma - Cut Surface of actinobacillosis affected tongue (Courtesy of Alun Williams (RVC))</center></small>]]
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*Seen in youngish animals in beef breed, especially sucklers on poor forage.   
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An infectious disease caused by the gram-negative coccobacilli ''Actinobacillus lignieresii''. Characterised by inflammation of the soft tissues of the head especially the [[Tongue - Anatomy & Physiology|tongue]] and [[Lymph Nodes - Anatomy & Physiology|pharangeal lymph nodes]] of cattle and sheep. The causal agent is widespread in the environment and part of the normal commensal flora of the gastrointestinal mucosa, it gains access to the tongue via small abrasions. It can be a progressive disease of low virulence but high persistence so the animal may stop eating and eventually die if not treated.
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*Starts like [[Picornaviridae#Foot and Mouth Disease Virus|foot and mouth disease]] - dull, salivating (if only one animal is unlikely to foot and mouth). - nearly always sporadic.
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*ongue feels like a big lump of wood especially dorsal part of posterior 2/3rds.
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==Signalment==
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*Small areas of ulceration are often found on side of [[Oral Cavity - Tongue - Anatomy & Physiology|tongue]].
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Occurs in cattle and sheep of all ages but particularly seen in young beef breeds especially sucklers on poor forage.
 
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==Clinical Signs==
 
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Often begins like [[Foot and Mouth Disease|foot and mouth disease]]. Animals are dull, have difficulty [[Mastication|masticating]], are inappetent and salivate profusely. The tongue is inflammed, hard and painful with small areas of ulceration along its sides. Often the tongue is described like a lump of wood hence the name and may increase in size by up to 50%.
 
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In contrast to foot and mouth cases are nearly always sporadic.
 
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Occasionally generalised infections occur and the bacteria may affect soft tissue anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract including the [[Rumen - Anatomy & Physiology|rumen]], [[Reticulum - Anatomy & Physiology|reticulum]] and [[Oesophageal Groove|oesophageal groove]]. The lungs may become affected due to aspiration of the agent. The bacteria often spread from the site of infection to lymphatics, and may cause pyogranulomatous lymphadenitis.
 
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Additionally a cutaneous form of the disease has been reported where ulcers and nodules are present in the subcutaneous tissue containing yellow-green pus.
 
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Sheep produce abscesses with thick walls.
 
  
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Feeding is impaired causing loss of condition. Infection in the oesophageal groove can cause tympany and enlargement of the retropharyngeal lymph node, causing difficulty in swallowing and breathing.
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====Pathogenesis====
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==Pathology==
 
 
[[Image:woodentongue2.gif|right|thumb|125px|<small><center>'Sulpher body' of Actinobacillosis (Courtesy of Alun Williams (RVC))</center></small>]]
 
[[Image:woodentongue2.gif|right|thumb|125px|<small><center>'Sulpher body' of Actinobacillosis (Courtesy of Alun Williams (RVC))</center></small>]]
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*Very similar to [[Mandibular Osteomyelitis|Mandibular Osteomyelitis]] ("lumpy jaw"). 
  
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The tongue becomes fibrous with raised red nodules (2-3mm across) along the surface. This lesion is a pyogenic granuloma containing large numbers of the bacterial microcolonies surrounded by clublike spicules of calcium phosphate which look like sulphur granules.
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*'''Causal agent''': [[Actinobacillus lignieresii]] (small gram -ve) gets into [[Oral Cavity - Tongue - Anatomy & Physiology|tongue]] via small abrasions.
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**Pathogen is very widespread in environment.
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*Progressive disease - low virulence but high persistence so animal may stop eating and eventually die but can be treated.
  
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This type of lesion is caused by the host response to the pathogen, rather than directly a pathogen effect.
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====Pathology====
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[[Image:Woodentongue1.gif|thumb|125px|<small><center>Fibrous Stroma - Cut Surface of actinobacillosis affected tongue (Courtesy of Alun Williams (RVC))</center></small>]]
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Contamination of the environment occurs via ulcerating lesions.
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*If cut into [[Oral Cavity - Tongue - Anatomy & Physiology|tongue]], substance of [[Oral Cavity - Tongue - Anatomy & Physiology|tongue]] changed to fibrous stroma with raised red nodules. (2-3mm across).
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*This lesion is a pyogenic granuloma with central '''sulphur body'''.  
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==Diagnosis==
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*Can spread from [[Oral Cavity - Tongue - Anatomy & Physiology|tongue]] to other tissues e.g. retropharyngeal [[Lymph Nodes - Anatomy & Physiology|lymph nodes]] and palate.
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A diagnosis can be made on history and clinical signs, including induration of the tongue. Tissue sections may demonstrate pyogranulomatous foci containing club colonies. Gram negative rods may be present in smears from exudates.
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*This type of lesion is caused by the host response to the pathogen, rather than directly a pathogen effect.
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The organism can be cultured on blood agar and MacConkey agar, incubated for 24-72 hours. The bacteria on blood agar form small, sticky, non-haemolytic colonies. The MacConkey agar allows slow lactose fermentation.
 
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==Treatment==
 
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[[Antibiotics|Antibiotics]] are effective and [[Aminoglycosides#Streptomycin|streptomycin]] is recommended intramuscularly for 10 days. Animals that do not respond to treatment in two weeks should be slaughtered. Potentiated sulphonamides or a penicillin/streptomycin combination can be used.
 
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Sodium iodide parenterally, or potassium iodide orally have also been successful.
 
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Rough feed should be avoided
 
  
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==Prognosis==
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=====Other sites=====
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If treatment is initiated early it is often successful however if treatment is delayed beyond 2 weeks the prognosis is much poorer.
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*Occasionally can see generalised infections but more commonly spreads to local lymph nodes of [[Alimentary - Anatomy & Physiology|alimentary tract]].
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*Organism can be inhaled causing [[Actinobacillus lignieresii|actinobacillus pneumonia]].
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*Can affect [[The Rumen - Anatomy & Physiology|rumen]] wall.
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*In skin forms a neoplastic like mass in dermis.
  
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==Literature Search==
 
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[[File:CABI logo.jpg|left|90px]]
 
  
  
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Use these links to find recent scientific publications via CAB Abstracts (log in required unless accessing from a subscribing organisation).
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*Also called '''Actinobacillosis'''
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<br><br><br>
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*Caused by ''[[Actinobacillus lignieresii]]''
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[http://www.cabdirect.org/search.html?q=%28%28title%3A%28%22wooden+tongue%22%29%29%29+OR+%28%28title%3A%28Actinobacillosis%29%29%29 Actinobacillosis/wooden tongue publications]
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*Usually due to direct penetration into tongue of cattle
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*Small granulomatous lesions containing 'sulfa granules' of large numbers of gram-negative rods
  
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==References==
 
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Andrews, A.H, Blowey, R.W, Boyd, H and Eddy, R.G. (2004) '''Bovine Medicine''' (Second edition), ''Blackwell Publishing''
 
  
  
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{{review}}
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[[Category:Tongue_-_Pathology]][[Category:Cattle]]
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[[Category:Tongue_-_Pathology]][[Category:Oral Diseases - Cattle]]
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[[Category:To Do - Caz]]
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[[Category:Bacterial Myositis]]
 
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[[Category:Oral Diseases - Sheep]]
 
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[[Category:Brian Aldridge reviewing]]
 

Revision as of 20:37, 26 July 2010


 This article is still under construction.


  • "Wooden tongue"
  • In cattle - very widespread in world, but rather sporadic, less common now than it was.

Clinical

  • Seen in youngish animals in beef breed, especially sucklers on poor forage.
  • Starts like foot and mouth disease - dull, salivating (if only one animal is unlikely to foot and mouth). - nearly always sporadic.
  • ongue feels like a big lump of wood especially dorsal part of posterior 2/3rds.
  • Small areas of ulceration are often found on side of tongue.

Pathogenesis

'Sulpher body' of Actinobacillosis (Courtesy of Alun Williams (RVC))
  • Causal agent: Actinobacillus lignieresii (small gram -ve) gets into tongue via small abrasions.
    • Pathogen is very widespread in environment.
  • Progressive disease - low virulence but high persistence so animal may stop eating and eventually die but can be treated.

Pathology

Fibrous Stroma - Cut Surface of actinobacillosis affected tongue (Courtesy of Alun Williams (RVC))
  • If cut into tongue, substance of tongue changed to fibrous stroma with raised red nodules. (2-3mm across).
  • This lesion is a pyogenic granuloma with central sulphur body.
  • Can spread from tongue to other tissues e.g. retropharyngeal lymph nodes and palate.
  • This type of lesion is caused by the host response to the pathogen, rather than directly a pathogen effect.
Other sites
  • Occasionally can see generalised infections but more commonly spreads to local lymph nodes of alimentary tract.
  • Organism can be inhaled causing actinobacillus pneumonia.
  • Can affect rumen wall.
  • In skin forms a neoplastic like mass in dermis.


  • Also called Actinobacillosis
  • Caused by Actinobacillus lignieresii
  • Usually due to direct penetration into tongue of cattle
  • Small granulomatous lesions containing 'sulfa granules' of large numbers of gram-negative rods
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