Actinomyces bovis

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Actinomyces bovis is a species of the Actinomyces genus.

      • Found naturally in oral cavity of cattle
      • Prefers anaerobic conditions but not strict anaerobe
      • Entry of organism into tissues following trauma to the mucosa from rough feed or tooth eruption
      • Causes granulomatous inflammation of soft tissues and bone, causing lumpy jaw
      • Usually invades mandible to cause osteomyelitis and may extend to surrounding muscles
      • The lesions begins as a painless swelling of the affected bone
      • Swelling becomes more painful and enlarges over a number of weeks, gaining fistulous tracts which discharge pus
      • Organisms found in yellow sulphur granules
      • Club colony formation
      • Colonies adhere to agar media and are non-haemolytic
      • Surgical treatment possible when lesions are small
      • Prolonged parenteral penicillin treatment may be beneficial early in the disease